Preparation and characterization of Fe2O3/mesoporous clay composite from Nigerian local bentonite clay

Clay obtained from a deposit in Itu, Nigeria, was used to prepare mesoporous clay-iron (II) oxide composite. Characterization of the prepared composite was performed to ascertain its physicochemical and textural properties. The effect of HCl treatment by hydrothermal process on the pore structure of the clay material and ferric oxide modification were also studied by nitrogen adsorption/desorption at -196°C, X-ray diffraction of the crystal structure, Fourier Transformed Spectroscopy (FTIR) of surface functionalities and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the surface morphology. The results revealed evolution of mesopores and an increase in surface area following acid treatment and subsequent Fe2O3 inoculation. The resulting mesoporous clay composites showed prominent peaks typical of alumino-silicate materials which attenuate upon acid treatment and subsequent ferric oxide impregnation. FTIR results confirm the surface structural bands in alumino-silicate materials which have undergone dehydroxylation and dealumination, leading to aggregation of particles