The clay acid activation has the purpose of increasing its adsorbent and catalytic properties. In this study, a bentonite clay sample from Mendoza (Argentine) was activated in different concentrations (4 N and 8 N) through the use of sulphuric and hydrochloric acid. To verify the influence of concentrations and the kind of acid utilized in the clay activation, it was utilized techniques of X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis and chemical analysis. The results have shown that the clay structure was modified after acid attack. Sulphuric and hydrochloric acid treatment in the same bentonite originated products with different structural characteristics.
acid activation; clay; bentonite
