XRD Analysis and Mineralogical Composition of Sodium/Copper Nanocomposite Clay of Nigerian Origin

The study investigated the mineralogical and crystallogical structures of natural and sodium/copper nanocomposite modified clay derived from a Nigerian clay deposit for potential application in adsorption process. The aim is to evaluate their structural and textural modifications and suitability for use in water purifications. The raw clay sample was purified and afterwards modified through sodium activation and subsequent impregnation of copper nano particle to obtain sodium/copper nanocomposite clay (Na/Cu-NC) by simple green method. The raw clay and the modified clay were subjected to some physicochemical analysis using standard (AOAC) methods, while the mineralogical composition was determined using XRD to confirm surface modification and structural integrity. The physicochemical analysis result revealed   a successful functionalization of the raw clay with increase in surface area (49 – 123 m2/g), cation exchange capacity (17.52 – 21.54 mol/kg) and lowering of loss-on- ignition (15.60 – 11.95%), indicating enhanced surface reactivity and improved adsorption potential. The XRD result revealed presence of quartz (46%), albite (20%), kaolinite (14%) as the dominant minerals in the raw clay while quartz (37%) and goethite (39%) were the dominant minerals in the nanocomposite derivative. Modification led to major significant shifts in peak intensities and basal spacing, indicating successful intercalation and structural rearrangements. The reported mineral composition and structural data suggest that sodium/copper nanocomposite clay exhibited improved physicochemical properties compared to the raw clay and is also highly functionalized for adsorption applications with strong presence of goethite, clinochlore and magnetite minerals contributing to its high adsorption capacity; making it a promising low-cost adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous effluents and other environmental applications. These findings support the utility of locally available Nigerian clay as a viable precursor for the development of efficient adsorbents for water treatments.