Microwave and acid modified talc as adsorbents of methylene blue in aqueous solution

Batch adsorption experiments for removal of methylene blue from a aqueous solution onto talcum powder were investigated using microwave and acetic acid modified talcum powder. In batch adsorption experiments for methylene blue by a new sorbent, the influences of particle size of talcum powder, acid concentration, acidification time, acidification temperature, radiation time and radiation power were investigated. The results showed that the removal efficiency of methylene blue is up to 83.03% in the optimum conditions, namely, the talcum powder of 1250 mesh size were treated with 1 mol/L acetic acid at 313K for 9h and microwave radiation power and time was 600W and 5min, respectively. The modified talcum powder was characterized by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electronic Microscopy. Because of the active groups OH- and the broken Si-O- and the cracks produced from face surface of modified talcum powder, the adsorptive capability of adsorbent was greatly enhanced.