Microwave assisted ZnCl2 activation of Salacca Peel derived activated carbons as adsorbents for Cu(II) removal from aqueous solution

Abstract

In this present study, salacca peel based activated carbons (SPAC) were prepared by microwave assisted ZnCl2 activation method. The effects of microwave power, activation time and impregnation ratio on the characteristics of activated carbon were studied. The activated carbons were characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) instruments. The BET surface area of 1796 m2/g were obtained at a microwave power of 540 W, activation time of 25 minutes with an impregnation ratio (ZnCl2:salacca peel) of 4:1. The resulting activated carbon was used for removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution. The prepared activated carbons were then used as adsorbents for removingCu(II) metal ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorption equilibrium was investigated using using Langmuir, and Freundlich model equations. It was found that the adsorption equilibrium data followedthe Langmuir isotherm equations with maximum capacity of 1262.62 mg Cu(II)/g SPAC at room temperature. The adsorption kinetics were also studied using the pseudo first order, pseudo second order and intraparticle diffusion models. The adsorption kinetics was shown to fit well with the pseudo second-order kinetic model.