Phenolic Removal Using Phenylamine Modified Montmorillonite

Synthesis, characterization, and application of phenylamine modified montmorillonite have been studied. Preparation of phenylamine modified montmorillonite was conducted by intercalation process using simple amine compound. The changes in physical and chemical properties were observed through the crystal structure, functional groups and acidity as well as the application as an adsorbent for phenolic compound. The diffractogram showed characteristic basal spacing of montmorillonite at 2 theta = 7.0710 degrees and 19.8856 degrees, also peaks with sharp intense around 20-30 degrees were 2 theta = 28.6181 degrees and 35.0112 degrees. The reflection pattern of phenylamine modified montmorillonite exhibited the shifting of d(001) basal spacing at 2 theta = 7.0710 degrees into 7.1624 degrees that implied the phenylamine was attached to the surface of montmorillonite. The spectra of FTIR gave the difference of wave number for -OH stretching, -OH bending also Mg-O-Al vibration that distinguished between natural montmorillonite and prepared material. The prepared material has lower acidity value and different surface characters which confirmed by gravimetric and infrared spectrum. The phenolic adsorption using prepared material gave maximum pH at 5 and optimum contact time around 2 hours with adsorption capacity was 24.48%.