EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON ACID ACTIVATED CLAY FROM GEGU-EGBA CLAY REGION IN KOGI STATE

ABSTRACT

The effect of temperature on acid activated clay was investigated. The clay obtained from GEGU-EGBA, Kogi state, was crushed with the use of ceramic plate and mortar afterwards ground on a ceramic plate to ensure that the clay was properly crushed, then sieved to obtain the fine clay particles. The fine clay particle was put in crucible and oven dried at 105-110°C to remove moisture. The clay sample were mixed with 40% v/v hydrochloric acid solution, then afterwards agitated mechanically for twenty-four hours filtered and thoroughly washed with distilled ionized water until no chloride ion was detected. Thereafter the clay sample was filtered and oven respectively. This clay sample was analyzed using BET(Brunauer-Emmett-teller),SEM-EDX(scanning electron microscope -energy dispersive x-ray) and FT-IR (Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy and showed the mineralogical component, surface topology, surface area, pore volume and adsorption frequencies of the clay. The scanning electron microscope result showed that the untreated cay samples has a porous structure while the treated clay sample at 2000C has less porous structure while the treated cay sample at 4000C has non-porous structure. The Brunuer-Emmett-teller results showed that for the untreated clay the surface area and pore volume was 167.33 (m2 /g) and 0.04225(cc/g),At 200°C the surface area and pore volume increased compared to the untreated clay sample was 321.00 (m2 /g) and 0.09238(cc/g), At 400°C the surface area and pore volume significantly increased to 348.7 (m2 /g) and pore volume was 0.1073 (cc/g). The Fourier transform Infrared showed different peaks on the spectra on the untreated clay, treated at 200°C and 400°C. The untreated clay, peaks show OH stretching vibrations, indicating clay's inherent hydroxyl groups. Vibrations related to Si-O bonds highlight clay's crystalline structure. After treatment at 200°C and 400°C OH stretching remains, suggesting persistent hydroxyl groups. Si-O vibrations suggest the clay structure remains intact .siloxane Si-O-Si was a common functional group for clay sample at 200°C and 400°C. In conclusion the behavior of acid activated clay (GEGU-EGBA clay) is strongly influenced by temperature. The research study showed the higher temperature favors increase in surface area and pore volume.