Preparation of activated carbon from sunflower straw through H_(3)PO_(4) activation and its application for acid fuchsin dye adsorption

With the development circular economy, the use of agricultural waste to prepare biomass materials to remove pollutants has become a research hotspot. In this study, sunflower straw activated carbon (SSAC) was prepared by the one-step activation method, with sunflower straw (SS) used as the raw material and H3PO4 used as the activator. Four types of SSAC were prepared with impregnation ratios (weight of SS to weight of H3PO4) of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:5, corresponding to SSAC1, SSAC2, SSAC3, and SSAC4, respectively. The adsorption process of acid fuchsin (AF) in water using the four types of SSAC was studied. The results showed that the impregnation ratio significantly affected the structure of the materials. The increase in the impregnation ratio increased the specific surface area and pore volume of SSAC and improved the adsorption capacity of AF. However, an impregnation ratio that was too large led to a decrease in specific surface area. SSAC3, with an impregnation ratio of 1:3, had the largest specific surface area (1 794.01 m2/g), and SSAC4, with an impregnation ratio of 1:5, exhibited the smallest microporosity (0.052 7 cm3/g) and the largest pore volume (2.549 cm3/g). The adsorption kinetics of AF using the four types of SSAC agreed with the quasi-second-order adsorption kinetic model. The Langmuir isotherm model was suitable to describe SSAC3 and SSAC4, and the Freundlich isotherm model was appropriate to describe SSAC1 and SSAC2. The result of thermodynamics showed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. At 303 K, SSAC4 showed a removal rate of 97.73% for 200-mg/L AF with a maximum adsorption capacity of 2 763.36 mg/g, the highest among the four types of SSAC. This study showed that SAAC prepared by the H3PO4-based one-step activation method is a green and efficient carbon material and has significant application potential for the treatment of dye-containing wastewater.

Preparation and Characterization of Activated Carbons from Asparagus Palm (Laccosperma robustum) Bark by Chemical Activation with H3PO4 and KOH

The present work deals with the preparation and characterization of activated carbons from the bark of the asparagus palm (Laccosperma robustum) by chemical activation with phosphoric acid and potassium hydroxide. The process was optimized on the basis of the analysis of the iodine number, methylene blue number and activated carbons yield as a function of the preparation parameters (concentration of the activating agents and the pyrolysis temperature). It emerges that the pyrolysis temperature and the concentration of activating agents influence the activated carbons preparation process. Their values were 500°C and 20% respectively for activated carbon with H3PO4 (ACP) and 700°C and 1.5% for activated carbon with KOH (ACK). The iodine numbers obtained were 850.26 mg/g for ACP and 865.49 mg/g for ACK. The methylene blue numbers obtained were 149.35 mg/g for ACP and 149.25 mg/g for ACK. The activated carbons yields obtained were 25% for ACP and 5.9% for ACK. The activated carbons prepared under optimal conditions have shown the pH of zero-point charge (pHzpc) of 4.4 and 7.0 for ACP for ACK respectively. The determination of the surface functions revealed that ACP had a strong acidic character while ACK had neutral character. The Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy also showed the presence of different functional groups on the surface of the precursor and activated carbons.

Fixed-Bed Column Adsorption Modeling of MnO4- Ions from Acidic Aqueous Solutions on Activated Carbons Prepared with the Biomass

Activated carbons calcined at 400˚C and 600˚C (AC-400 and AC-600), prepared using palm nuts, collected in the town of Franceville in Gabon, were used to study the dynamic adsorption of MnO4- ions in acidic media on fixed bed column and on the kinetic modeling of experimental data of breakthrough curves of MnO4- ions obtained. Results on the adsorption of MnO4- ions in fixed-bed dynamics obtained on AC-400 and AC-600 adsorbents beds indicated that the AC-400 bed appears to be the most efficient in removing MnO4- ions in acidic media. Indeed, the adsorbed amounts, the adsorbed capacities at saturation and the elimination percentage of MnO4- ions obtained with AC-400 (31.24 mg;52.06 mg·g-1 and 41.65% respectively) were higher compared to those obtained with AC-600 (9.87 mg;16.45 mg·g-1 and 17.79% respectively). The breakthrough curves kinetic modeling revealed that the Thomas model and the pseudo-first-order kinetic model were the most suitable models to describe the adsorption of MnO4- ions on adsorbents studied in our experimental conditions. The results of the intraparticle diffusion model showed that intraparticle diffusion was involved in the adsorption mechanism of MnO4- ions on investigated adsorbents and was not the limiting step and the only process controlling MnO4- ions adsorption. In contrast to AC-400, the intraparticle diffusion on AC-600 bed plays an important role in the adsorption mechanism of MnO4- ions.

Photocatalytic activity and kinetics for acid yellow degradation over surface composites of TiO_2-coated activated carbon under different photocatalytic conditions

TiO2-coated activated carbon surface （TAs） composites were prepared by a sol-gel method with supercritical pretreatment. The photocatalytic degradation of acid yellow （AY） was investigated under UV radiation to estimate activity of catalysts and determine the kinetics. And the effects of parameters including the initial concentration of AY, light intensity and TiO2 content in catalysts were examined. The results indicate that TAs has a higher efficiency in decomposition of AY than P25, pure TiO2 particles as well as the mixture of TiO2 powder and active carbon. The photocatalytic degradation rate is found to follow the pseudo-first order kinetics with respect to the AY concentration. The new kinetic model fairly resembles the classic Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation, and the rate constant is proportional to the square root of the light intensity in a wide range. However, its absorption performance depends on the surface areas of catalysts. The model fits quite well with the experimental data and elucidates phenomena about the effects of the TiO2 content in TAs on the degradation rate.

Selective oxidation of glycerol to lactic acid over activated carbon supported Pt catalyst in alkaline solution

Pt/activated carbon （Pt/AC） catalyst combined with base works efficiently for lactic acid production from glycerol under mild conditions. Base type （LiOH, NaOH, KOH, or Ba（OH）2） and base/glycerol molar ratio significantly affected the catalytic performance. The corresponding lactic acid selectivity was in the order of LiOH〉NaOH〉KOH〉Ba（OH）2. An increase in LiOH/glycerol molar ratio ele‐vated the glycerol conversion and lactic acid selectivity to some degree, but excess LiOH inhibited the transformation of glycerol to lactic acid. In the presence of Pt/AC catalyst, the maximum selec‐tivity of lactic acid was 69.3% at a glycerol conversion of 100% after 6 h at 90 °C, with a Li‐OH/glycerol molar ratio of 1.5. The Pt/AC catalyst was recycled five times and was found to exhibit slightly decreased glycerol conversion and stable lactic acid selectivity. In addition, the experimental results indicated that reaction intermediate dihydroxyacetone was more favorable as the starting reagent for lactic acid formation than glyceraldehyde. However, the Pt/AC catalyst had adverse effects on the intermediate transformation to lactic acid, because it favored the catalytic oxidation of them to glyceric acid.

Combination of adsorption and biodegradation processes for textile effluent treatment using a granular activated carbon-biofilm configured packed column system

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using a granular activated carbon-biofilm configured packed column system in the deeolodzation of azo dye Acid Orange 7-containing wastewater.The Acid Orange 7-degrading microbial from anaerobic sequencing batch reactor which treating the azo dye-containing wastewater for more than 200 d was immobilized on spent granular activated carbon(GAC)through attachment.The GAC-biofilm configured packed column system showed the ability to decolorize 10...

Catalytic ozonation of phenol and oxalic acid with copper-loaded activated carbon

A novel heterogeneous catalytic ozonation process in water treatment was studied, with a copper-loaded activated carbon （Cu/AC） that was prepared by an incipient wetness impregnation method at low temperature and tested as a catalyst in the ozonation of phenol and oxalic acid. Cu/AC was characterized using XRD, BET and SEM techniques. Compared with ozonation alone, the presence of Cu/AC in the ozonation processes significantly improves the degradation of phenol or oxalic acid. With the introduction of the hydroxyl radical scavenger, i.e., turt-butanol alcohol （t-BuOH）, the degradation efficiency of both phenol and oxalic acid in the Cu/AC catalyzed ozonation process decreases by 22% at 30 min. This indicates that Cu/AC accelerates ozone decomposition into certain concentration of hydroxyl radicals. The amount of Cu（II ） produced during the reaction of Cu/AC-catalyzed ozonation of phenol or oxalic acid is very small, which shows that the two processes are both heterogeneous catalytic ozonation reactions.

Regeneration of Acid Orange 7 Exhausted Granular Activated Carbon Using Pulsed Discharge Plasmas

In this paper, a pulsed discharge plasma （PDP） system with a multi-needle-to-plate electrodes geometry was set up to investigate the regeneration of acid orange 7 （AO7） exhausted granular activated carbon （GAC）. Regeneration of GAC was studied under different conditions of peak pulse discharge voltage and water pH, as well as the modification effect of GAC by the pulse discharge process, to figure out the regeneration efficiency and the change of the GAC structure by the PDP treatment. The obtained results showed that there was an appropriate peak pulse voltage and an optimal initial pH value of the solution for GAC regeneration. Analyses of scanning electron microscope （SEM）, Boehm titration, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller （BET）, Horvath-Kawazoe （HK）, and X-ray Diffraction （XRD） showed that there were more mesopore and macropore in the regenerated GAC and the structure turned smoother with the increase of discharge voltage; the amount of acidic functional groups on the GAC surface increased while the amount of basic functional groups decreased after the regeneration process. From the result of the XRD analysis, there were no new substances produced on the GAC after PDP treatment.

High-valued Utilization of China Fir Sawdust Extracted Essential Oil:Preparation of Granular Activated Carbons for n-Butane Adsorption

[Objective] The aim was to study on the high-valued utilization of China Fir sawdust extracted essential oil.[Method] In the field of fir essential oil extraction,the processed China fir sawdust was used to prepare low-valued products.The high-valued utilization of China fir sawdust extracted essential oil(CFSEEO),namely as a precursor to prepare granular activated carbons(GACs),was attempted.The materials were characterized by ultimate analysis,SEM and XRD.[Rusult] A butane working capacity(BWC)of 14.3 g/100 ml was obtained by using the GACs with apparent density of 0.25 g/ml.It was available to introduce the technology of extracting essential oil from the China fir sawdust(CFS)in the industrial production process of activated carbons with high BWC(12.0-16.5 g/100 ml)and high surface area(2 000-2 630 m2/g)using phosphoric acid based on previous studies of the authors.[Conclusion] The resulting carbon prepared with the raw materials containing lower moisture exhibited a better property on n-butane adsorption.

Adsorption of acid and basic dyes by sludge-based activated carbon:Isotherm and kinetic studies

A batch experiment was conducted to investigate the adsorption of an acid dye(Acid Orange 51) and a basic dye(Safranine) from aqueous solutions by the sludge-based activated carbon(SBAC). The results show that the adsorption of Acid Orange 51 decreases at high p H values, whereas the uptake of Safranine is higher in neutral and alkaline solutions than that in acidic conditions. The adsorption time needed for Safranine to reach equilibrium is shorter than that for Acid Orange 51. The uptakes of the dyes both increase with temperature increasing, indicating that the adsorption process of the dyes onto SBAC is endothermic. The equilibrium data of the dyes are both best represented by the Redlich-Peterson model. At 25 °C, the maximum adsorption capacities of SBAC for Acid Orange 51 and Safranine are 248.70 mg/g and 525.84 mg/g, respectively. The Elovich model is found to best describe the adsorption process of both dyes, indicating that the rate-limiting step involves the chemisorption. It can be concluded that SBAC is a promising material for the removal of Acid Orange 51 and Safranine from aqueous solutions.

Enhancement of gaseous mercury(Hg^0) adsorption for the modified activated carbons by surface acid oxygen function groups

This article discussed the benzoic acid activated carbons which have changed the types and content of acid oxygen-function groups on the surface of activated carbons and their effect on the adsorption for Hg^0 in simulated flue gas at 140 ℃. These surface acid oxygen function groups were identified by Boehm titration, Fourier transformation infrared spectrum, temperature programmed desorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It indicates that the carboxyl, lactone and phenolic were formed when the benzoic acid is loaded on the surface of activated carbons. Among the surface acid oxygen function groups, the carboxyl groups enhance the adsorption capacities of Hg^0 for activated carbons to a greater extent.

Peanut Shell Activated Carbon： Characterization, Surface Modification and Adsorption of Pb^2＋ from Aqueous Solution

Metal ion contamination of drinking water and waste water, especially with heavy metal ion such as lead, is a serious and ongoing problem. In this work, activated carbon prepared from peanut shell （PAC） was used for the removal of Pb^2＋ from aqueous solution. The impacts of the Pb25 adsorption capacities of the acid-modified carbons oxidized with HNO3 were also investigated. The surface functional groups of PAC were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）, Boehm titration. The textural properties （surface area, total pore volume） were evaluated from the nitrogen adsorption isotherm at 77 K. The experimental results presented indicated that the adsorption data fitted better with the Langmuir adsorption model. A comparative study with a commercial granular activated carbon （GAC） showed that PAC was 10.3 times more efficient compared to GAC based on Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity. Further analysis results by the Langmuir equation showed that HNO3 [20% （by mass）] modified PAC has larger adsorption capacity of Pb^2＋ from aqueous solution （as much as 35.5 mg·g^-1）. The adsorption capacity enhancement ascribed to pore widening, increased cation-exchange capacity by oxygen groups, and the promoted hydrophilicity of the carbon surface.

Highly active catalyst for vinyl acetate synthesis by modified activated carbon

A new zinc acetate catalyst which was prepared from modified activated carbon exhibited extreme activity towards the synthesis of vinyl acetate. The activated carbon was modified by nitric acid, vitriol and peroxyacetic acid （PAA）. The effect on specific area, structure, pH and surface acidity groups of carders by modification was discussed. Amount of carbonyl and carboxyl groups in activated carbon was increased by peroxyacetic acid treatment. The productivity of the new catalyst was 14.58% higher than that of catalyst prepared using untreated activated carbon. The relationship between amount of carbonyl and carboxyl groups （m） and catalyst productivity （P） was P = 1.83 ＋ 2.26 × 10^-3＊e^3.17m. Reaction mechanism was proposed. C 2009 Liang Rong Feng. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society. All rights reserved.

Influence of Nitric Acid Concentration on Characteristics of Olive Stone Based Activated Carbon

In this work we investigated the effect of nitric acid concentration on the pore structure,surface chemistry and liquid phase adsorption of olive stone based activated carbon prepared by mixing process using phosphoric acid and steam as activating agents.Chemicals and textural characterization show that the increase of HNO3concentration increases considerably the total acidic groups but decreases specific surface area and pore volume.The study of adsorption in aqueous solutions of two organics,phenol and methylene blue,on raw and oxidized activated carbon indicates that the treatment of mixed activated carbon with different concentrations of nitric acid improves the adsorbent capacity for methylene blue at HNO3concentrations less or equal to 2 mol·L 1,while it has a negative effect on phenol adsorption.

Error Analysis of Adsorption Isotherm Models for Acid Dyes onto Bamboo Derived Activated Carbon

High surface area activated carbons were produced by thermal activation of waste bamboo scaffolding with phosphoric acid.Single component equilibrium dye adsorption was conducted on the carbons produced and compared with a commercially available carbon.Two acid dyes with different molecular sizes,namely Acid Yellow 117(AY117) and Acid Blue 25(AB25),were used to evaluate the adsorption capacity of the produced carbons.It was found that the dye with smaller molecular size,AB 25,was readily adsorbed onto the produced carbon,nearly three times higher than a commercially available carbon,while the larger size dye,AY117,showed little adsorption.The experimental data were analyzed using isotherm equations including Langmuir,Freundlich,Tempkin,Toth,Redlich-Peterson and Sips equations.The equilibrium data were then analyzed using five different non-linear error analysis methods.

Activated persulfate by DBD plasma and activated carbon for the degradation of acid orange Ⅱ

In this study, the effect of activated peroxydisulfate(PDS) by dielectric barrier discharge(DBD) plasma and activated carbon(HGAC) on the removal of acid orange Ⅱ(AOⅡ) was investigated. The effects of applied voltage, PDS dosage, HGAC dosage, initial pH value, and inorganic anions on the removal rate of AOⅡ were discussed. The main free radicals degrading azo dyes during the experiment were also studied. Experimental results show that the removal rate of AOⅡ in DBD/HGAC/PDS synergistic system is much higher than that in the single system. With the applied voltage of 16 kV, HGAC dosage of 1 g l-1, PDS and AOⅡ molar ratio of 200:1, initial pH value of 5.4 and concentration of AOⅡ solution of 20 mg l-1, the removal rate of AOⅡ reached 97.6% in DBD/HGAC/PDS process after 28 min of reaction.Acidic and neutral conditions are beneficial for AOⅡ removal. Sulfate and hydroxyl radicals play an important role in the removal of AOⅡ. Inorganic anions are not conducive to the removal of AOⅡ.

Adsorption of yellow dye: Acid yellow RR from its aqueous solution using two different samples of activated carbon by static batch method

Removal of dye Acid Yellow RR, using two different samples of activated carbon by static batch method was studied. Experimental data on optical density of blank solutions of different concentrations ranging from 10 to 100 mg/L and optical density of solutions after adsorption on activated carbon samples were taken and analyzed. Calibration curves were plotted and the amount of dye qe adsorbed was calculated. The data was fitted to Polynomial, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms for two different carbon samples and different concentration and pH values. Constants were calculated from the slope and intercept values of the isotherms. Coefficient of correlation R2 and Standard Deviation SD were also noted. The data fitted well to the isotherms. Carbon sample C1 showed higher potential to adsorb the yellow dye. Adsorption was higher at lower concentrations of the solution. Carbon sample C2 showed better adsorption in acidic pH as com- pared to in alkaline pH. From the analysis of the data it is shown that C2 sample has a good capacity to remove the textile dye from the residue water although sample C1 was still better.

Photocatalytic degradation of L- acid by TiO_2 supported on the activated carbon

TiO2 sol was prepared by sol-gel technique with tetrabutyl titanate as precursor. Supported TiO2 catalysts on activated carbon were prepared by soak and sintering method. The aggregation of nano-TiO2 particles can be effectively suppressed by added polyethylene glycol （PEG） as a surface modifier. The average particle diameter of TiO2, specific surface area and absorbability of catalyst can be modified. Based on characteristics of the TiO2 photocatalyst with XRD, specific surface area, adsorption valves of methylene blue and the amount of TiO2 supported on the activated carbon, the photocatalytic degradation of L-acid was studied. The effect of the factors, such as pH of the solution, the initial concentration of L-acid on the photocatalytic degradation of L-acid, were studied also. It was found that when the pH of the solution is 1.95, the amount of photocatalyst is 0.5 g, the concentration of the L-acid solution is 1.34×10^3 mol/L and the illumination time is 7 h, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of L-acid can reach 89,88%, The catalyst was reused 6 times and its degradation efficiency hardly changed.

Synthesis and proton conductibility of ternary germanic heteropoly acids

The ternary germanic heteropoly acids H_5GeW_(11)O_(40) centre dot 22H_2O andH_5GeMo_(11)VO_(40) centre dot 24H_2O were synthesized for the first time by the stepwiseacidification and the stepwise addition of solution of the component elements. The products werecharacterized by ICP, IR, UV, XRD and TG-DTA. The proton conductibility and the activation energy ofproton conduction of the heteropoly acids were investigated.

Methylene Blue and Brilliant Green Dyes Removal from Aqueous Solution Using Agricultural Wastes Activated Carbon

This paper investigated the analyses of removal of Methylene Blue (MB) and Brilliant Green (BG) dyes from aqueous solutions by adsorption on activated carbon prepared by chemical activation of coconut shell, eucalyptus tree, corn cob and flamboyant pod. It was found that the carbon pores increased after carbonization and activation processes. The maximum percentage MB removal was obtained as 95.0% for coconut shell, 93.2% for eucalyptus tree, 99.9% for corn cob, and 99.7% for flamboyant pod. Also, the maximum percentage BG removal was obtained as 97.0% for coconut shell, 98.2% for eucalyptus tree, 99.6% for corn cob, and 99.6% for flamboyant pod. The adsorption isotherms of the adsorption process were studied, and Freundlich model showed the best fit with the equilibrium data. To optimize the operating conditions, the effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, and pH were investigated by two levels of factorial experimental design method and adsorbent dosage was found as the most significant factor.