ABSTRACT
The effect of temperature on acid activated clay was investigated. The Clay samples were obtained from Aseni in Kogi state, Nigeria. The clay samples were pulverized in a ceramic place, sieved, and oven dried at 105°C - 110°C to remove moisture. The Clay samples were then mixed with 30% v/v hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution, agitated mechanically for 24hrs, filtered and thoroughly washed with distilled, deionized water until the removal of chloride ions. Thereafter, it was filtered, oven dried at 105° -110°C, and then calcined at 200°C and 400°C in Muffle furnace respectively. These samples were analyzed using the X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy -energy disperse x- ray (SEM-EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Brunaur-Emmet-Teller (BET) analysis to determine the mineralogy, morphology, functional group present, pore size, surface area and pore diameter. The results showed that increase in temperature altered the minerals present and a slight decrease in d-values. The morphology showed that at higher temperature, there were larger pores and voids. Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) showed the presence of silica bonds present in the clay and the absence of hydroxyl group in the clay at increased temperature (400°C). Brunaur-Emmet-Teller (BET) revealed at 200°C; Surface area (198.9 m2/g), pore volume (0.1204 cm3/g), pore diameter (2.118 nm). At 400°C; Surface area (464.9 m2/g), pore volume (0.2720 cm3/g), pore diameter (2.099 nm). Nitrogen vapor adsorption data (77K) were obtained for relative vapor pressure (P/Po) of 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.25. The cross-sectional area of a nitrogen molecule was assumed to be 16.2 Å2. The increase in temperature of activation led to changes in pore sizes, pore volume and surface of the clay.
