Abstract
In this study, the activated carbon (AC) was prepared from phosphoric acid activation of peanut shell and used as adsorbent for atrazine removal from aqueous solutions. The prepared AC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The effect of parameters such as solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage and concentration of atrazine solution were studied on adsorption process. The results of characteristics study shown that the surface of AC was porous with numerous functional groups. The kinetic results revealed that the adsorption process was well described by the pseudo-second-order model than the pseudo-first-order model. The intraparticle diffusion model involved in the adsorption process by multi steps. The equilibrium data were in the best agreement with the Langmuir model than the Freundlich and the Temkin models. The maximum adsorption capacities calculated according to the Langmuir isotherm were 66.66, 52.63 and 48.08 mg g-1 at 30°C and at pH 5, 7 and 9 respectively. The results of this study pointed out that the activated carbon prepared from the peanut shell has strong adsorption potential toward the atrazine herbicide, hence, it could be used for efficient adsorption of pesticide residues and other hazardous pollutants from wastewater.
Highlights
In most of West African countries, the agriculture has been modernized since last decades
The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image revealed that the activated carbon (AC) surface is rough with numerous pores that could favor the adsorption of atrazine molecules
The results revealed that the equilibrium time was 60 min, in order to ensure that equilibrium was reached for all essays performed, a contact time of 120 min was chosen as equilibrium time, which was in accordance with those reported by Ghosh and Shirmardi et al [23, 24]
Summary
In most of West African countries, the agriculture has been modernized since last decades. Atrazine residues were found in the treated soils and surface water [3] Several methods such as oxidation [4], photocatalysis [5], electrochemical [6] and adsorption [7] are used for herbicide residues removal from polluted water. Among these methods, adsorption is widely used because of its low-cost and application. Several studies have reported the development of activated carbon from agricultural waste such as date seed shells [8] and peanut husk [14].
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