Abstract:
Natural clay has the disadvantage of low cation exchange capacity and not resistant to
heating, and the number of impurities on the surface and in the lattice clays. In the use
of natural clays as adsorbents not provide optimal results. Activation of the physico-
chemical characteristics are expected to improve the natural clay. In this study, activated natural clays with 2M NaOH with reflux method, by using a three-neck round bottom flash. During the last reflux stirring constantly using a magnetic stirrer for 8 hours. Clay activation results identified by XRD analysis and characterized by parameters Si/Al ratio determined using the gravimetric method, CEC using Nessler reagent as measured by spectrophotometry, acid and alkaline sites determined using titration method alkalimetri and acidimetry, as well as the surface area is determined by the absorption the methylene blue clay as measured by spectrophotometry. XRD analysis results indicate that the activation of natural clay kaolinite using NaOH lead turned into sodium alumina silicate. Characterization results showed an increase in CEC, surface area, acid and alkaline clay site activation, but the Si/Al ratio decreased. Activation clay CEC value meq/100g 487.94, the surface area of 24.77 m2 / g, acidity 1.225 mmol / g, 1.087
mmol alkalinity / g and the ratio of Si/Al 2,901.
