Effect of lead on the sorption of phenol onto montmorillonites and organo-montmorillonites.

The effect of lead (Pb) on the sorption of phenol onto montmorillonite-based sorbents was studied using a batch equilibration method when phenol and Pb were sorbed simultaneously and either Pb or phenol was previously sorbed. The sorbents were Na(+)-, Ca(2+)-, hexadecyl trimethylammonium (HDTMA)-Na(+)-, and HDTMA-Ca(2+)-montmorillonites. Pb diminished the sorption of phenol largely onto Na(+)- or Ca(2+)-montmorillonites, while phenol had little effect on the sorption of Pb onto all sorbents. Pb had no effect on the sorption of phenol onto HDTMA-Na(+)- or HDTMA-Ca(2+)-montmorillonites either. The sorption capacity of phenol followed the order HDTMA-Na(+)- > HDTMA-Ca(2+)- > Na(+)- > Ca(2+)-montmorillonites. The pseudo-second-order equation described the kinetics of phenol sorption well. Sorption isotherms of phenol followed the Freundlich equation. Phenol sorption on HDTMA-Na(+)- and HDTMA-Ca(2+)-montmorillonites was linear, while that on Na(+)- and Ca(2+)-montmorillonites was nonlinear.