Removal of toxic chromium(VI) from aqueous solution by activated carbon using Casuarina equisetifolia

Abstract

Highly activated carbon from the seed husk of Casuarina Casuarinas equisetifolia, a worldwide famous plant, have been prepared and tested for the removal of toxic Cr(VI) from its aqueous solution. The adsorbent was investigated for influences of initial chromium concentration (75, 100, 125, and 150 mg l⁻¹), pH, contact time, and quantity of carbon on removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution at room temperature (25±2 °C). The adsorption kinetic of Cr(VI) was studied, and the rates of sorption were found to conform to pseudo-second-order kinetics with a good correlation (R ²≥0.99). The Langmuir and Freundlich models fit the isotherm data well. Furthermore, the Gibbs free energy was obtained for each system and was found to be−5.29 kJ mol⁻¹ for removal of Cr(IV). The negative value of Δ G° indicates the feasibility and spontaneous nature of adsorption. The results indicate that acidic pH (1.05) supported the adsorption of Cr(IV) on activated carbon. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) on activated carbon was about 172.4 mg g⁻¹ at pH 1.05.

Keywords:

• Casuarina
• Casuarinas equisetifolia
• Activated carbon
• Chromium
• Adsorption
• Langmuir model
• Freundlich model