Removal of organic pollutants from red water by magnetic-activated coke

Abstract

A magnetic adsorbent, magnetic-activated coke (MAC), is incorporated with Fe3O4 particles for removal of organic materials from 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene red water. The MAC is characterized by N2 adsorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Adsorption of organic pollutants is evaluated systematically by varying the adsorbent dosage, exposure time, temperature, pH, and dilution ratios of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene red water. The equilibrium adsorption data can be better fitted with the Freundlich isotherm than Langmuir isotherm except at 343 K. The adsorption kinetics follows a pseudo-second-order model and thermodynamic analysis indicates an endothermic and spontaneous adsorption process. The settling rate after adsorption suggests that the response of MAC under an external magnetic field is very fast.