Evaluating the Potential of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Modified Clay as a Landfill Liner Material

In this paper, the feasibility of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-modified clay as a landfill liner material is investigated. Experiments were conducted on the modified clay with 0.5%, 1%, and 2% MWCNTs. The effects of the MWCNTs on the compaction characteristics, permeability coefficient, stress-strain curve, peak deviation stress, shear strength parameters (internal friction angle and cohesion), microstructures, and adsorption performance of the clay were analyzed. The results showed that the optimum moisture content (OMC) increased from 16.15% to 18.89%, and the maximum dry density (MDD) decreased from 1.79 g/cm³ to 1.72 g/cm³ with the increase in MWCNTs. The permeability coefficients firstly fell and then gradually rose as the MWCNTs increased; the minimum permeability coefficient was 8.62 × 10^-9 cm/s. The MWCNTs can also effectively increase the peak deviation stress of the clay, and at the maximum level, the peak deviation stress was increased by 286%. SEM images were processed using the Pore and Crack Analysis System (PCAS), and the results showed that the appropriate amount of MWCNTs could fill the pores and strengthen the clay structure. The effect of the MWCNT-modified clay on the adsorption performance of common heavy metal ions Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ in landfill leachate was analyzed by batch adsorption tests. The maximum adsorption capacities (Q_max) of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Mn²⁺ in the 2% MWCNT-modified clay were, respectively, 41.67 mg/g, 18.69 mg/g, and 4.97 mg/g. Compared with the clay samples without MWCNTs, the adsorption properties of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Mn²⁺ were increased by 228%, 124%, and 202%, respectively. Overall, the results suggest that MWCNT-modified clays have the potential to be suitable barrier materials for the construction of landfills.