Removal of chlorinated phenol from aqueous media by guava seed (Psidium guajava) tailored activated carbon

• Published in: Water resources and industry Vol. 16; no. C; pp. 29 - 36
• Main Authors: Anisuzzaman, S.M., Joseph, Collin G., Krishnaiah, D., Bono, A., Suali, E., Abang, S., Fai, L.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2016; Elsevier
• Subjects: 2,4-Dichlorophenol; Activated carbon; Guava seeds; Kinetics; Two stage self-generated atmosphere; Guava seeds; Kinetics; 2,4-Dichlorophenol; Two stage self-generated atmosphere; Activated carbon
• ISSN: 2212-3717; 2212-3717
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wri.2016.10.001

In this study, the activated carbons (ACs) were prepared from guava seeds via two stages activation. The dried guava seeds were semi-carbonized at 300°C for 1h, and then the carbonized samples were impregnated with zinc chloride (ZnCl2). The ZnCl2: sample impregnation ratios (w/w) were altered from 1:1 to 5:1. The ACs were characterized by the yield percentage, ash content, moisture content, pH value, adsorption quality of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and surface functional groups. The surface area of the best produced AC3 was found to be 919.40m2g−1. It was found that AC3 had highest 2,4-DCP adsorption capacity, which was 20.9mgg−1. The 2,4-DCP adsorption kinetic of prepared AC3 was pseudo-second order with correlation value of 0.995. In addition, the 2,4-DCP adsorption capacity of AC3 was fitted to the Langmuir model with correlation coefficient value of 0.977, indicating that chemisorption was a major contributor to the adsorption process. •Prepared activated carbon from guava seeds using two-stage activation in self-generated atmosphere method.•Determine the physiochemical properties of the prepared activated carbon.•Studied the adsorption kinetic and adsorption isotherm of the prepared activated carbon in the removal of chlorinated phenol from aqueous solution.