Optimization of conditions for the preparation of new adsorbent material from residues of marine algae applying a response surface methodology

Abstract

An experimental design has been drawn up to optimize the experimental conditions of the preparation of an adsorbent material from residues of marine algae. A series of adsorbent materials have been prepared by chemical activation with phosphoric acid. Central composite design (CCD) was applied to study the influence of activation temperature, activation time and percentage of phosphoric acid on the chemical activation process of adsorbent material. Two quadratic models were developed for yield of adsorbent material and methylene blue adsorption capacity using Design-Expert software NEMRODW. The models were used to calculate the optimum operating conditions for preparation of adsorbent material providing a compromise between yield and adsorption capacity of the process. The optimal conditions with 93.77% of methylene blue adsorption capacity and 66.14 % of adsorbent material yield are obtained when using 150 min as activation time, 225°C as activation temperature and 70% as percentage of phosphoric acid.