Synthesis of activated carbon based on apricot stones for wastewater treatment

Abstract

In this study, a methodology for the preparation of three activated carbons from agricultural waste is adapted in the laboratory. The raw material is ground manually in a mortar. The dried product is then sieved into different size classes. Three types of activation were applied to this agricultural waste. The first activation is physical, and uses two atmosphere types: steam and nitrogen Physical Treatment of Apricot Stones (PTAS), the second is chemical and uses concentrated sulfuric acid (Chemical Treatment of Apricot Stones (CTAS) and the third is a mixed activation which is both physical and chemical Mixed Treatment of Apricot Stones (MTAS). The materials obtained were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer, Emmett and Teller and the iodine number. Next, the adsorption capacity of these activated carbons for the safranine dye was studied using sorption parameters such as kinetics, the isotherm, the pH and the temperature. The calculated Qmax values indicate that the PTAS, CTAS and MTAS samples show a better adsorption capacity for the safranine dye (243.90-274.27-294.11 mg/g); the results found during this study show that the sorption is increased with increased temperatures and concentrations, and that the pH does not show any influence. Finally, the results obtained were compared to those of other adsorbent materials that are described in the literature.