Removal of phenol by adsorption on activated carbon from aqueous solution

Abstract

The work now reported aims the preparation, characterization and application of activated carbons on the phenol adsorption from liquid phase. The carbon samples were produced from Angolan woods wastes, namely Baobab and Nuati. All precursors were previously carbonized and then activated, by physical activation with CO2, or by chemical activation with H3PO4 and KOH. The activated carbons samples produced by CO2 activation have apparent surface higher than 800m2/g, pore volume from 0.36 to 0.40cm3/g, mean pore width around 0.74nm and basic nature. The chemical activated samples show apparent surface area between 395 and 1682m2/g, pore volume from 0.17 to 0.65cm3/g and mean pore width around 1.08nm. The adsorption of phenol, a hazardous and problematic pollutant, from aqueous solutions reach a maximum adsorption capacity around 240mg/g at an equilibrium concentration of 1mg/L.