Adsorption of chromate and molybdate by cetylpyridinium bentonite

Bentonite was modified with cetylpyridinium bromide (CPBr) and investigated by elemental analysis, IR, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, specific surface area (BET) and electrokinetic mobility measurements. The surfactant was adsorbed on the montmorillonite in a bilayer structure. The organo-bentonite removed the oxyanions of Cr(VI) and Mo(VI) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order kinetics and adsorption capacities of 0.7 and 1.4 mmol/g for Cr(VI) and Mo(VI) were recorded. E_a = 5.34 and 14.50 kJ/mol for the adsorption of Cr(VI) and Mo(VI) indicated an ion exchange mechanism. The standard free energy values (ΔG°) of − 2.11 and − 3.40 kJ/mol for Cr(VI) and Mo(VI) indicated a spontaneous adsorption process. Column studies showed the suitability of the organo-bentonite for operation in continuous flow systems.