ABSTRACT

This study investigates the influence of temperature variations on acid activated clay sourced from the Dangara Clay region in Kogi State. Characterization techniques including FT-IR, BET analysis, and SEM-EDX were employed to assess the structural, chemical, and elemental changes induced by treatment with 20% HCl at temperatures of 200°C and 400°C. FT-IR analysis revealed modifications in absorption frequencies and functional groups following treatment, such as the OH stretching vibration at 3693.8 cm^-1. BET analysis demonstrated significant increases in surface area with higher temperatures, with values reaching 303.046 m²/g at 200°C and 335.016 m²/g at 400°C. SEM-EDX analysis unveiled changes in elemental composition, such as a reduction in chlorine content from 1.06% in untreated clay to 0.49% at 400°C, highlighting the sensitivity of the clay samples to temperature variations. Overall, these findings contribute to a detailed understanding of the effects of temperature on the properties of acid activated clay from the Dangara Clay region, offering insights for potential industrial and environmental applications.