Removal of copper ion in aqueous solution by activated carbon from sewage sludge

Abstract

Activated carbon has been prepared from sewage sludge of the municipal wastewater treatment plant using chemical activation method. Porous structure of activated carbon was characterised by nitrogen adsorption and scanning electron microscopy. And activated carbon was also characterised by its surface area and porosity. Its surface is an irregular and porous structure. The BET surface area is 432.45 m2/g, the total pore volume is 0.43 cm3/g and the nominal pore size is 0.53 nm. Then, it was used as an adsorbent for the removal of copper ions from aqueous solution. The effects of parameters such as pH, temperature, contact time and initial copper ion concentration were investigated. The adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms of copper ions in aqueous solution onto activated carbon were investigated through experimental data. The results showed that the adsorption processes were perfectly fitted to the pseudo-second order model with very high regression coefficients. It may be evaluated as an environmentally friendly and extra economic treatment of copper ions in aqueous solution. The Langmuir isotherm fitted better than the Freundlich isotherm for the adsorption of copper ion on the activated carbon. The adsorption process is heterogeneity of the adsorbents and favourable adsorption.