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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Phenol removal from aqueous solution by activated carbon produced from avocado kernel seeds

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Author(s):
Rodrigues, Liana Alvares [1] ; Pinto da Silva, Maria Lucia Caetano [2] ; Alvarez-Mendes, Manoel Orlando [3] ; Coutinho, Aparecido dos Reis [3] ; Thim, Gilmar Patrocinio [1]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Inst Tecnol Aeronaut ITA CTA Praca, BR-12228900 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Engn Lorena, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ Metodista Piracicaba, Lab Mat Carbonosos, BR-13450971 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL; v. 174, n. 1, p. 49-57, OCT 15 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 73
Abstract

Activated carbon derived from avocado kernels (AAC) was evaluated for its ability to remove phenol. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of the AAC was 206 m(2) g(-1) and the total pore volume was 0.100 cm(3) g(-1). The kinetic of the adsorption process was described by a pseudo-second-order rate model. The maximum uptake was obtained at pH values between 4 and 8.5. The optimum adsorbent dose obtained was 0.1 g. The thermodynamic parameters exhibited the feasibility and the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. Adsorption isotherms showed that the interaction of phenol with AAC surface was described by a localized monolayer adsorption. The adsorption mechanism was discussed based on experimental results, and the pi-pi interactions were considered to be an important parameter in the adsorption process. The adsorbent regeneration was investigated using several types of desorbing agents, but no agent show any promising result. The results showed that the prepared activated carbon was an effective adsorbent for phenol removal from aqueous solution. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)