Adsorption of 4-chlorophenol by magnetized activated carbon from pomegranate husk using dual stage chemical activation

Separation under the influence of magnetic field has been widely explored to tackle environmental issues related to centrifuging and filtration. In this work, activated carbon produced from pomegranate husk (PHAC) using dual stage chemical activation was magnetized with iron salts and used for adsorption of 4-chlorophenol (4CP) from the synthetic wastewater. Adsorption experiments were conducted in batch mode to determine the removal efficiency of magnetized activated carbon pomegranate husk (MPHAC) as a function of initial 4CP concentration, solution pH, MPHAC dose, contact time, ionic strength, and temperature. The rough surface of MPHAC containing pores on the surface had a total pore volume of 0.623 cm(3)/g with a surface area of 1168 m(2)/g. The 4CP adsorption was highly dependent on ionic strength, solution pH, and temperature; the equilibrium was reached in 60 min of contact time. Kinetic models and equilibrium isotherms were employed to assess the fitness of adsorption data; results were fitted best with the Liu model giving maximum adsorption capacities of 446.89 +/- 20.75 and 183.64 +/- 17.85 mg/g for 1 and 2 g/L of MPHAC, respectively. For the investigation of the adsorption kinetics, Avrami fractionary-order model showed the best fit of the experimental data compared to other kinetic models. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study focused on the use of magnetized activated carbon pomegranate husk for the adsorption of 4-chlorophenol from synthetic wastewater. The results showed that adsorption efficiency was highly dependent on ionic strength, solution pH, and temperature, with equilibrium being reached in 60 minutes. Kinetic models and equilibrium isotherms were used to assess the adsorption data, with the Liu model showing the best fit and providing maximum adsorption capacities for different MPHAC concentrations.