Removal of thallium (I) by activated carbon prepared from apricot nucleus shell and modified with rhodamine B

Abstract

Thallium (Tl) is a very toxic heavy metal regarded to cause pollution even at very low concentration of several parts per million. This work focused on the use of low-cost activated carbon prepared from apricot fruit nucleus and modified with Rhodamine B to removal of toxic Tl(I). The microstructure of the activated carbon was observed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Adsorption was quick and the equilibrium attained within 30 min. The kinetic studies showed better correlation for pseudo-second order model than the first-order model. Recovery was achieved the highest using Na₂S₂O₃. Temperature has no significant effect in the removal efficiency.

• Apricot fruit nucleus
• adsorption
• rhodamine B
• activated carbon
• thallium

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their appreciations to Payame Noor University of Kerman for providing research facilities. This research was supported by the Research Laboratory of Payame Noor University of Kerman.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.