Adsorption of Phenol onto Activated Carbons

Coal-based Activated carbon was modified by thermal and nitric acid treatment to adsorb phenol from aqueous solution. Boehm titration, point of zero charge ( pHPZC ) and X-photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize activated carbons. Acid treatment leads to the increase of the content of surface oxygen, whereas thermal treatment causes the decrease of the content of surface oxygen.The surface characteristics of activated carbons have significant effect on phenol adsorption. The adsorption isotherms of phenol adsorption are described by Langmuir isotherm. The kinetic studies indicate that the adsorption process is fitted well by the pseudo-second- order kinetics.