Synthesis of Clay-Based Adsorbents Using a Full Factorial Design
The present work deals with the synthesis of modified clay-based adsorbents using experimental design methodology, more specifically full factorial design. The aim of this study is to develop effective adsorbents for the removal of contaminants from effluents. Design-of-experiments methodology was used to optimize key synthesis factors, such as the modifying agent, its concentration and the contact time. The responses studied were methylene blue dye removal rate and iodine number. The results obtained showed the significant influence of modifier concentration on the responses studied. In addition, a good correlation was established between the variables studied and the responses, confirming the effectiveness of the design-of-experiments methodology for the synthesis of adsorbents from clay. The kinetic study carried out on the adsorption of methylene blue by the best adsorbent showed that equilibrium time was reached after 60 min, with a removal rate of 97.55%. The experimental data were best represented by the pseudo-second-order model with a coefficient of determination R2= 1.