Interlayer Modification of Montmorillonite and Laponite by Cr(III)/Al(III) Polyhydroxo Species: Adsorption and Photo-Assisted Oxidation of Dyes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.13763Keywords:
Montmorillonite, Laponite, Intercalation, Dye adsorption, Photo-assisted oxidation, Wastewater treatmentAbstract
This study explores the structural modification of layered aluminosilicates through intercalation with Cr(III) and mixed Cr(III)/Al(III) polyhydroxo species. Despite the widespread use of modified clays, the integration of high-capacity adsorption with catalytic mineralization in a single inorganic matrix remains insufficiently addressed. Natural montmorillonite and synthetic laponite were used as host materials to evaluate their adsorption and photo-assisted oxidation performance. Structural and textural changes were investigated using XRD, N2 adsorption, SEM, FTIR, and mass titration. Intercalation significantly increased the BET surface area (up to 211.99 m2/g) and modified the surface charge, shifting the pHpzc of montmorillonite from 10.1 to 4.4. Adsorption experiments demonstrated a significant increase in capacity for the anionic dye Congo red, driven by the neutralization of layer charge and the creation of new binding environments. In addition, Cr-intercalated laponites showed catalytic activity in UV/H2O2-assisted oxidation, facilitated by a photo-Fenton-like pathway at interlayer-fixed Cr centers. The results demonstrate that controlled interlayer modification provides multifunctional sorption-reactive materials where efficient pollutant preconcentration is coupled with rapid oxidative degradation, offering a robust solution for wastewater treatment.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Natural montmorillonite and synthetic laponite were intercalated with Cr(III) and Cr/Al polyhydroxo species.
- The modification considerably expanded the specific surface area (up to 211.99 m2/g) and shifted the surface charge.
- Intercalated materials demonstrated a dramatic increase in adsorption capacity for the anionic dye Congo red (up to ~400 mg/g).
- Interlayer-fixed Cr species acted as stable catalytic centers for rapid UV/H2O2 photo-assisted dye oxidation.
- These multifunctional sorption-reactive materials offer a robust, integrated solution for industrial wastewater treatment.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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