Abstract: The Iranian bentonite was first characterized by
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Inductively Coupled Plasma
mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray
Diffraction (XRD) and BET. The bentonite was then treated
thermally between 150°C-250°C at 15min, 45min and 90min and
also was activated chemically with different concentration of
sulphuric acid (3N, 5N and 10N). Although the results of thermal
activated-bentonite didn-t show any considerable changes in specific
surface area and Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), but the results of
chemical treated bentonite demonstrated that such properties have
been improved by acid activation process.