Characterization of the Acid-Base Character of Burned Clay Ceramics Used for Water Decontamination
Andrei Victor Sandu,
Viorica Vasilache,
Ioan Gabriel Sandu,
Joseph M. Sieliechi,
Innocent Kouassi Kouame,
Petre Daniel Matasaru,
Ion Sandu
Affiliations
Andrei Victor Sandu
Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of lasi, Blvd. D. Mangeron 71, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Viorica Vasilache
Arheoinvest Centre, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Science, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, 11 Carol I Blvd, 700506 Iasi, Romania
Ioan Gabriel Sandu
Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of lasi, Blvd. D. Mangeron 71, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Joseph M. Sieliechi
National School of Agro Industrial Sciences (ENSAI), University of Ngaoundere-Ngaoundere, PO.Box 455 Ngaoundere, Cameroon
Innocent Kouassi Kouame
Laboratory of Geosciences and Environment, UFR Science and Environmental Management, Nangui Abrogoua University, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Petre Daniel Matasaru
Telecommunications and Information Technology, Faculty of Electronics, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of lasi, Carol I 11A, 700506 Iasi, Romania
Ion Sandu
Arheoinvest Centre, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Science, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, 11 Carol I Blvd, 700506 Iasi, Romania
The paper presents the results of ample investigations performed on industrial and traditional ceramics of fired clay used in processes of water potabilization in the last stage of filtration, after that of active charcoal. Using the data obtained through the scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and pH analyses, on the basis of the atomic composition and free concentration of hydronium ions, the normal caustic (Si/Al) and summative [(Si+Ti+FeIII+Cl)/(Al+Ca+Mg+Na+K)] modules were assessed, which were correlated with the free acidity and, respectively, the capacity of absorption and ionic exchange of the Fe3+ and Al3+ ions. The study allowed the selection, on the basis of the caustic module, of the ceramics with high capacity for ionic exchange.