Characterization and Optimization of salicylic acid - Bentonite Clay Nanocomposite

This work aimed to synthesize and characterize bentonite clay with the assist of Fe(III) ion as salicylic acid chelator. Variation of intercalated concentration and contact time during intercalation process were performed to obtain the best bentonite-salicylic acid nanocomposite. The characterisation of the resulting nanocomposite was done by analyzing the surface area, pore volume, pore diameter, and particle size using N2 gas adsorption analysis methode (BET). The magnitude of loading capacity of bentonite to salicylic acid was measured by UV spectrophotometer and the composite topography was analyzed using SEM methode. The result of BET methode analysis showed that resulting composite had a surface area of 107.8, 65.6, 109.2 m2/g, respectively and with particle size of 55.65, 91.41, and 54.92, respectively. The largest loading capacity is owned by composite produced with 24 h contact time with a capacity of 66,4720 mg/g. The result of topographic analysis with SEM showed that resulting composite has a layered structure with uniform particle shape and heterogeneous particle size.