LAUSR

Abstract An activated carbon (PCAC) with good adsorption potential for organic pollutants including nitrophenols, chlorophenol, bisphenol and monocrotophos was obtained from palm shell using a combination of chemical (Sulphuric acid, persulfate mixture) and thermal (900 °C) activation techniques. The prepared PCAC was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis, Zeta potential and Boehm titration measurements in terms of structural and surface characteristics. PCAC was observed to be endowed with a micro/mesoporous structure and was amorphous with a surface area of 770 m2g−1. Batch adsorption tests indicated that the PCAC exhibited a high adsorption capacity for all the adsorbates under study. The adsorption data fitted very well with Langmuir isotherm model and with pseudo-second-order and Elovich kinetic models. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the uptake was spontaneous. The adsorption was unaffected by increasing the ionic strength of the aqueous solution and could be efficiently performed at 0.5 N NaCl medium. Additionally, PCAC was easily regenerated with methanol and could be reused at least three times. The adsorption could be the result of several interactions including van der waals forces, electrostatic interaction, H bonding and π-π interactions. Thus, PCAC endowed with micro/mesoporous structure could function as an efficient adsorbent for the adsorptive removal of organic pollutants from aqueous samples.