Using different AC to improve MCPA removal from liquid phase

Abstract

The work presented here focuses on the adsorption of MCPA on a series of ACs prepared from recycled PET or cork via different activation methods. All ACs were characterised by nitrogen adsorption at 77 K and by elemental analysis. The adsorption isotherms of MCPA were determined on selected ACs, where the same amount of AC was added to flasks containing equal volumes of aqueous solutions with different initial known concentrations in an acidic medium (pH =3) and left until the equilibrium was attained (2 days). All suspensions were then filtered and the residual concentrations of MCPA were determined by UV-Vis, as detailed in previous work [1-4]. The present study shows that activated carbons prepared from PET or from cork can be used successfully as adsorbents for the removal of MCPA from aqueous solutions. The ACs tested display very different textural and chemical properties, nevertheless we found that the micropore volume and the specific surface area seem to be the determinant factors influencing MCPA removal from the liquid phase.