Analysis of two bentonites of enological interest before and after commercial activation by solid Na(2)CO(3).

Two natural calcium-rich bentonites used for the removal of wine proteins, originating from Greece and Turkey, were studied by X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and solid state NMR, before and after activation by solid Na(2)CO(3). Exchange of Ca(2+) by Na(+) mainly occurs for cations located at the edge of layers and only weakly for interlayer cations. This Na(2)CO(3) activation process leads to an increased efficiency in the adsorption process of bovine serum albumin (BSA) used as a model protein for both bentonites.

Catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of phenol over Fe-exchanged pillared beidellite.

This study presents an evaluation of the catalytic performances of a Fe-exchanged Al-pillared synthetic beidellite for the wet hydrogen peroxide oxidation of phenolic aqueous wastes. The catalyst was prepared by a cation doping technique, its properties being determined by DRX, BET and chemical analysis techniques. All the tests were performed on a laboratory scale set-up.