Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from wheat straw to remove2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid from aqueous solutions

Molla Tefera,Mengistu Tulu

doi:10.5267/j.ccl.2021.1.002

Abstract

This study was focused to investigate the adsorptive behavior of activated carbon prepared from wheat straw treated with acid and base for the removal of 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). The morphology of the adsorbent was characterized using infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Compared with acid activated wheat straw, base activated wheat straw has provided lower ash content, moisture and volatile matter. However, it has higher iodine number than acid activated wheat straw. The removal of 2,4-D from aqueous solution was investigated at various physicochemical parameters such as pH (2–10), contact time (5–60 min), temperature (20-80 oC), amount of adsorbent (0.1-1.4 g) and initial concentration of 2,4-D (1.0-25 mg/L). The removal efficiency of 2,4-D in aqueous solution was found to be 92.02%. The equilibrium data were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm and the Langmuir model better describes that the active adsorption sites were homogeneously distributed on the surface of the adsorbent. Therefore, the activated carbon prepared from wheat straw treated with base can be used as efficient and cost-effective method to remove 2,4-D from aqueous solution.

Highlights

Water pollution is one of the most important environmental problems in the world
Since adsorption is a surface phenomenon, the rate and the extent of adsorption of a given adsorbent are influenced by the physico-chemical characteristics of the adsorbent
The image after treatment showed thick wall nonuniformly distributed onto the surface of activated carbon along with wider porosity and different shapes, indicating that the external surfaces of the adsorbent materials are full of cavities

Summary

Introduction

Water pollution is one of the most important environmental problems in the world It may be contaminated by natural sources or by industrial effluents.1Pesticides prevent or reduce loss of products caused by pests and can improve yield as well as quality of agricultural products. The derivatives of urea, pyridazinone, phenoxy acetic acid, tryazin and group of chlorinated pesticides are most frequently types of pesticides found in water bodies.[2]. In spite of their extensive uses; pesticides are recognized as potential source of pollutants to soil and water due to their mobility and degradation and are serious concerns of health risks. . The removal efficiency of adsorption process is mostly affected by various factors, including pH, contact time, initial concentration of the contaminant, adsorbent dose and temperature.[8]

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