Characterization of smectite after acid activation with microwave irradiation

Abstract The effect of acid activation under microwave (MW) irradiation on the textural and structural properties of a smectite from Maghnia (Algeria) was investigated. Sample aliquots were treated with 2 M hydrochloric acid for various times under variable irradiation power. The influence of activation parameters (MW power and time duration) on the textural and structural properties of the activated samples (crystallinity, specific surface area, pore volume, pore diameter, porosity, pore size distribution and morphology) have been studied. The prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Differential Thermal and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (DTA and TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen adsorption/desorption to obtain information about their structure and surface texture. The treated samples consisted of microporous and mesoporous structures. The specific surface area, pore diameter and pore volume of an adsorbent prepared by the microwave-heating method were 165.80 m 2 /g, 50 nm and 0.1919 cm 3 /g, respectively. The pore volumes of mesopores and micropores were 163.90 · 10 − 3 and 28.89 · 10 − 3 cm 3 /g, respectively. Furthermore, small pores were created in the prepared materials with microwave irradiation.