Removal of some anionic and cationic detergents using an inorganic gel adsorbent

Abstract

The uptake of two cationic detergents, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) and two anionic detergents, sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) and sodium dodecylbenzenesulphonate (ABS) has been observed on copper ferrocyanider which is prepared and characterised by well known methods. Sorption data have been correlated with both Langmuir and BET adsorption models. The presence of mono and divalent cations increase the uptake of ABS and SDS and the enhancement is much more in the presence of trivalent salt like AlCl₃• Thermodynamic parameters indicate the feasibility of the process while kinetic measurements provide the necessary mechanistic information. Desorption of anionic detergents from loaded copper ferrocyanide has also been achieved.