Modification of Activated Carbon Prepared From Pigeon Pea Husks with Eriochrome Black T for Removal of Copper (II) Ions
Eman Alzahrani
Emam Alzahrani, Asst. Prof. of Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry Department, Science Faculty, Taif University Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Manuscript received on 20 November 2014 | Revised Manuscript received on 30 November 2014 | Manuscript published on 30 November 2014 | PP: 6-10 | Volume-3 Issue-5, November 2014 | Retrieval Number: E1226113514/2014©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Wastewater pollution due to heavy metals is one of the most important problems facing humanity today. The current study showed a sensitive and effective method for removal of copper (Cu) from aqueous solutions using activated carbon (AC) modified with Eriochrome Black T (EBT). The AC was prepared from pigeon pea husks, since this is an abundant and inexpensive natural resource, using chemical activation with phosphoric acid solution (70%), then physically modified with EBT. Surface properties of the AC-EBT phase were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and Fourier transmission infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The high adsorption of AC-EBT is due to the well-developed pores on the fabricated AC-EBT, which lead to high Cu uptake, and the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 158.73 mg g-1 after 1 hour contact time. The experimental data fitted well to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Results demonstrated that AC-EBT would be a useful and valuable method for controlling water polluted with copper ions.
Keyword: Activated carbon; Copper ion; Eriochrome Black T; Pigeon pea husks.
Scope of the Article: Environmental Engineering