LAUSR

The template-synthesized mesoporous carbon (TSMC) was synthesized through nano-casting approach by using sucrose as the carbon precursor, KIT-6 as the template, subsequently carbonized at the temperature of 900°C. The structures and properties of the obtained TSMC were systematically characterized by XRD, TEM and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm. The results demonstrate that the TSMC exhibits the worm-like morphology with high specific surface area (398.77 m2/g), large pore volume (0.078 cm3/g) and uniform pore size (3.8 nm). In addition, phenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) were also selected as the objectives to research adsorption abilities of the TSMC. Various adsorption conditions, such as the adsorbent dosage, the solution pH, the contact time, the initial concentration and the contact temperature effects were explored using a batch technique. The results show that the removal rates of phenol and 2,4-DCP from solution for the TSMC were 84.50% and 85.57%, and the adsorption capacities of phenol and 2,4-DCP on the TSMC were 21.126 and 42.784 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, their kinetic experimental data are described by the pseudo-second-order model, and their adsorption data fit the Langmuir isotherm model well predicting a high adsorption capacity of 62.0437 and 108.6957 mg/g at 30°C, respectively. The thermodynamic study also shows that the adsorption of phenol and 2,4-DCP on TSMC were both spontaneous and endothermic. Furthermore, the π-π interaction, electrostatic repulsion, H-bonding and the hydrophobicity may play important roles in the adsorption of phenol and 2,4-DCP on the TSMC.