Modified bentonite @ microwave for Mn(VII) removal with a simulation study

A reasonably priced and easily available natural bentonite was used to remove Mn(VII) ion from polluted water. The purpose of this research is to investigate the structural and adsorption capacity changes of microwave-treated bentonite following Mn(VII) ion adsorption. The two forms of bentonite (natural and microwave-assisted) were characterized with respect to the chemical composition and structural morphology (XRD, EDX and FTIR) in addition to pore size distribution and surface area. The structure of the microwave-treated bentonite showed partial damage of the framework of silica, and new surface nucleation centers are developed during microwave treatment. Montmorillonite was deemed to be the prevailing phase. The total surface area and the average pore size distribution were changed from (277,624 m²/g and 4,9118 nm) to (327,085 m²/g and 4.1691 nm) after microwave treatment. BET surface area expanded, hence enhancing the adsorption ability of Mn(VII) ions approximately 18.0% more than that of the untreated bentonite B. FTIR and SEM morphology pointed out the Mn(VII) adsorption ions onto the microwave-treated bentonite.