The main objective of this paper is to characterize the Chocolate smectite clays of Boa-Vista, State of Paraíba (Brazil), in their natural form, and after chemical treatment for their application in the removal of Pb2+ from synthetic effluents. The following methods were used: X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. In is work the procedures for Pb2+ removal from a synthetic inorganic effluent using a natural clay were established. To evaluate the influence of the main parameters, such as pH, clay treatment and granulometry, on Pb2+ removal, factorial planning was used and the best results obtained were pH 4.5, granulometry in the range of 35 to 48 mesh and natural clay.
clays; characterization; ion exhange; lead
