Abstract
A capable adsorption of benzene, toluene, aniline, benzoic acid and phenol in water by pyrophyllite was investigated. Pyrophyllite could adsorb benzene and toluene well, as compared with aniline, benzoic acid and phenol. Benzene and toluene are highly insoluble, while aniline, benzoic acid and phenol are soluble in water. Since the (001) plane of pyrophyllite is almost 0 charges, benzene and toluene would be easily adsorbed on the plane. On the other hand, aniline and benzoic acid would be adsorbed on the edge of pyrophyllite, because hydroxyl groups are exposed on the edge. In the same pH condition, hydroxyl groups of phenol and pyrophyllite would almost change to the same charge. Therefore, phenol would be hardly adsorbed by pyrophyllite. Adsorption of benzene and toluene by phyrophyllite was almost the same ability as that by talc and the complex of montmorillonite with surfactant to be made to remove such aromatic hydrocarbons. Pyrophyllite would be a good adsorbent to remove a highly hydrophobic aromatic hydrocarbon.
