Surface modified bentonite mineral as a sorbent for $Pb^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ ions removal from aqueous solutions

Environmental pollution by lead ($Pb^{2+}$) and zinc ($Zn^{2+}$) ions has become an important issue due to its harmful effects on human health and environment. This work aims to evaluate the application of surface modified Egyptian bentonite mineral by acid activation using $H_2SO_4$ and thermal treatment as an adsorbent to remove lead ($Pb^{2+}$) and zinc ($Zn^{2+}$) ions from aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) techniques were used to investigate the modified bentonite. The impact of organic and inorganic dispersants on rheological characteristics of bentonite suspensions was investigated. Adsorption of $Pb^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ ions using modified bentonite mineral was performed with different adsorbent doses and pH values. Removal efficiencies of lead and zinc are 99.67% and 99%, respectively with adsorbent dose of 25 g/l at pH of 6.2.