Sorption capacity of ultrasound-activated natural bentonite regarding copper ions

The adsorption properties of bentonite from the Ilnytskyi deposit (Ukraine) regarding the copper ions under conditions when bentonite is activated with ultrasound are investigated. Based on the methods of X‑ray diffraction and complex thermal analysis, it was determined that Ca, Mg-montmorillonite mainly represent a bentonite fraction with a particle size 10×10⁻⁶ m. Ultrasound-activated bentonite was found to have an increased sorption capacity of copper ions. Saturation of natural bentonite and bentonite activated with Cu²⁺ ions occurs according to the ion exchange mechanism. The sorption characteristics of natural and activated bentonites were compared by modeling the experimental data of the sorption isotherms using the Langmuir equation. The prospects of the use of ultrasound-activated bentonite for wastewater treatment from heavy metal ions are shown.