This study evaluates the the efficiency, feasibility and spontaneity of the adsorption of nitrate ion in natural and modified kaolinite with urea, using as starting material kaolin waste processing from Jari River. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (XRD, XRF and FTIR, respectively). The equilibrium pH measurements were performed by potentiometry and the equilibrium concentrations (Ce) nitrate was measured by ion chromatography. Amounts adsorbed at equilibrium (qe), distribution constant (Kd = qe / Ce), separation factor (RL) and variation of Gibbs free energy (ΔG °) were calculated based on experimental data adsorption. The results of XRD and FTIR confirmed the formation of the kaolinite-urea from treatment carried out on kaolin waste. The following data were obtained from the adsorption of nitrate on natural kaolin waste and treated with urea: qmax = 18.17 and 14.1 mmol kg-1 Kd = 0.7 to 2.2 and 0.45 - 1.5 L kg-1; RL = 0.35 to 0.85 and 0.25 to 0.80; ΔG ° = -9.3 to -5.8 and -9.1 to -5.4 kJ mol-1, respectively. The values of Kd , ΔGº and RL are typical of physisorption processes, feasible and spontaneous and those qmax indicate that the retention of nitrate on natural kaolin waste is more efficient than on kaolin waste modified with urea.
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