Preparation and Characterization of Activated Carbon from Tire and Biomass Char and its Applications in Liquid Phase Adsorption

Waste tyre and biomass (castor seed (CS)) char has been selected as precursor for the production of activated carbon (AC) in the present investigation. Activated carbon is prepared through chemical activation method by using potassium hydroxide (KOH) as the activating agent in the temperature range of 300°C-700°C for an activation time of 30minutes in a tubular furnace. The effects of activation temperature on yield% and surface area of activated carbon were studied. Characterization of activated carbon by nitrogen adsorption at 77K was utilized to determine the specific surface area of these carbon samples, we observed that the surface area of the carbon samples increases with the activation temperature and reaches to a maximum. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic analysis (FTIR) was performed in order to determine the functional groups present in the activated carbon prepared. The surface morphology of the activated carbon samples was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Activated carbons offer a potential tool for methylene blue adsorption in aqueous phase. Adsorption studies of methylene blue on the prepared activated carbons were carried out at optimum conditions. To obtain details of methylene blue on activated carbon UV-visible spectroscopic analysis was employed at 660nm. The effect of major variables such as effect of contact time, pH, and adsorbent dosage were investigated. The adsorption equilibrium data was well explained by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. The adsorption capacity of methylene blue on activated carbon prepared from tyre and biomass char was compared with the adsorption capacity of methylene blue on commercial available activated carbon and rice husk carbon. It was found that the adsorption capacity of methylene blue on commercial available activated carbon and rice husk carbon is low when compared to activated carbon derived from precursor.