Phenol Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Adsorption on Activated Carbon of Miswak’s Root Treated with KMnO4

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Phenol and derivatives are common pollutants of dri nking water which are blamed for crucial adverse effects such a s poisoning, cancer, and malformation. In this study, an activated carbon of Miswak’s root (M R) was used for the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions as a low-cost and high surface ad sorbent. Materials and Methods: Adsorption experiments were then conducted in a batch reactor with activated carbon prepared from MR and treated with KMnO 4 to study the effects of contact time (0-180 minutes), pH (3-13), initial phenol concentr ation (100-1000 mg/L), and adsorbent dosage (0.1-1 g/L) at lab temperature 30 ± 1° C on sorption efficiency. KMnO 4 treatment influenced the physicochemical properties of the ca rbon and improved its adsorption rate . Results: The results showed that the equilibrium time of ads orption was 120 minutes maximum adsorption capacity (94.76% phenol removed) of the MR carbon was 142.15 mg/g at pH 5, the initial concentration of 100 mg/L, 30° C and 180 mi nutes contact time. The optimum type of MR adsorbent was produced in 800° C. The equilibrium data were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and fitted well with the F reundlich model (R 2 = 0.9821) better than Langmuir (R 2 = 0.7551) model. Conclusion: The results revealed that the carbon of MR modifie d with KMnO 4 had a satisfactory quality in phenol adsorption and can w ell be used as a novel, inexpensive, effective, and efficient adsorbent for the removal of phenol f rom the aquatic environment. [Biglari H, Afsharnia M, Javan N, *Sajadi SA. Phenol Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Adsorption on Activated Carbon of Miswak’s Root Treated with KMnO4. Iran J Health Sci 2016; 4(1): 20-30] http://jhs.mazums.ac.ir