SORPTION OF COPPER AND NICKEL IONS FROM SOLUTION BY CLAY MINERALS

In this study, the adsorption of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions onto white clay of montmorillonite group obtained from the Kahramanmaras region was investigated. The effects of clay amount, initial metal ion concentration, pH, and temperature on the adsorption were studied. The results showed that the increase in the clay amount, initial metal ion concentration, pH and temperature led to increase in the metal ion adsorptions. Besides, the competitive adsorption of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions was studied at different pH and temperatures and it was shown that Cu(II) ions were more adsorbed than Ni(II) ions. As a result, it was observed that clay had a high adsorption capacity for metal ions. It was determined that the adsorption of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions by clay was in the range of 92.3-100% adsorption and 90.26-97.82% under all experimental conditions, respectively.