Probing the interactions between chlorpheniramine and 2:1 phyllosilicates

Interactions between chlorpheniramine (CP), an antihistamine drug used to treat allergy, and 2:1 phyllosilicates were studied under batch kinetic and different solution conditions to investigate the effect of charge density of the substrates on CP removal from solution. The CP removal by Na-montmorillonite was instantaneous, with a very large rate constant and a fast rate, reaching a capacity of 0.64 mmol/g, compared to its cation exchange capacity of 0.85 mmol(c)/g. In contrast, CP removal by talc was 10 times lower at 0.06 mmol/g. Stoichiometric desorption of exchangeable cations accompanying CP removal by Na-montmorillonite confirmed cation exchange as the dominant interaction mechanism. Solution pH had a minimal effect on CP removal by Na-montmorillonite until pH 11. On the contrary, a slight increase in CP removal by talc was observed as the solution pH increased, due to increased negative charges on the pH-dependent surfaces of talc. Interactions between CP and Na-montmorillonite occurred on both external and interlayer sites, resulting in a d-spacing expansion from 12.5 Å to 15.2 Å. In contrast, interactions between CP and talc were only limited to the external surfaces. It was the charge density that ultimately controlled the amount of CP removal by 2:1 phyllosilicates. Thus, montmorillonite offers a superior option for the removal of cationic drugs from aqueous solution.