The synthesis, activation and characterization of charcoal powder for the removal of methylene blue and cadmium from wastewater

Abstract

Charcoal prepared from biomass, wastes of the local forest (tree branches), activated with NaOH solution and with Degussa P25 (TiO2) was used as adsorbent and photocatalyst for the removal of cadmium cations and methylene blue from wastewater. These materials were characterized by using atomic force microscopy for roughness surface. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicate the existence of nano TiO2 on the charcoal surface. Additionally, the FT-IR spectroscopy measurements indicate that the alkali treatment develops hydroxyl groups on charcoal surface which could adsorb methylene blue, heavy metals and other pollutants via the synergistic effect. The activities of the charcoal (BC), activated charcoal (BCA) and BCA/TiO2 mixture (BCA-D) depend on the contact time, adsorbent dosage and pH. The adsorption kinetic data were tested using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models. The kinetic studies showed that the adsorption is followed by the pseudo-second-order reaction with regard to the intraparticle diffusion rate kinetics.