Alginate Loaded Montmorillonite beads: Adsorption of cationic pollutants

Abstract

This chapter presents the synthesis, characterization, and optimization of alginate beads loaded with different amounts of montmorillonite (0, 5, 30, and 70%). Besides, their application as adsorbent material for the pesticide paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride) was evaluated. This chapter also explores the kinetic behavior of the cationic contaminants adsorption inside the beads, which was made possible by the adsorption of the brilliant green (BG) dye applying the shrinking core model (SCM). Clay encapsulation in alginate beads allowed to prepare a material with high capacity to adsorb cationic pollutants. The experimental results clearly show that the clay is the responsible of this adsorption, and their inclusion in beads facilitates their use as adsorbent. The material is environmentally friendly and has potential application in the removal of different pollutants in the environment.