Abstract
Techniques for obtaining organoclays have been studied by many researchers, intending to optimize the preparation process and to ensure a good quality product. These studies are based on the fact that such clays present a wide range of applications in engineering. However, works that emphasize the chemical study of these processes are less frequent. Thus, the main objective of this work was to study the sorption of ionic and non-ionic surfactants in bentonite clays. In organophilization process the Brasgel clay was used, with two surfactants, TA 50 (with 100% active matter) and WB (with 81.26% active matter). In dispersions five different concentrations (%w/w) of clay from 3.16% to 7.16% were used. Each clay concentration was organophilized with four different concentrations of surfactant. The sorption isotherms were constructed using the thermogravimetry data, and adjusted to the linear and Freundlich models. From the isotherms, it was inferred that the mechanisms involved in the sorption are multilayer adsorption (for two surfactants used) and cooperative adsorption (for WB); and the clay content of 3.16% had the higher sorption capacity.
Keywords:
organoclay; surfactant; adsorption isotherms
