The Effect of Activation Method on the Adsorption Performance of Saw-Dust Activated Carbon

Abstract

Aims: The present study was conducted to evaluate the ability of modified saw dust to remove para-nitrophenol (PNP) from aqueous solution. Methodology: Batch adsorption studies were carried out under varying conditions of initial pH, contact time and temperature. The performance of saw dust activated carbon was characterized by BET surface area FTIR and SEM. Three simplified kinetic models including pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intra particle diffusion were selected to follow the adsorption process. Place and Duration of Study: Experiments were carried out in the National Research Center, Department of Physical Chemistry at laboratory of Surface Chemistry and Catalysis. Study Design: The adsorption abilities of saw dust after thermal and chemical treatment were investigated for its efficiency in removing para-nitrophenol (PNP) from aqueous solution. Results: The Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models were used to describe the adsorption equilibrium studies of saw dust activated carbon. Results showed that the Langmuir isotherm showed better fit than Freundlich and Temkin isotherm. The kinetic data were found to follow the pseudo-second order model. Intraparticle diffusion is not the sole rate controlling factor. The negative values of ΔHËš and ΔGËš revealed the feasibility of adsorption, spontaneous and exothermic. Conclusion: It is thus concluded, high quality carbon can easily be produced from saw dust through chemical and thermal activation.