Adsorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol from aqueous solution by activated carbon derived from moso bamboo processing waste

Abstract

The surface physical and chemical properties of activated carbon derived from moso bamboo processing waste (ACMB) were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherm, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The adsorption characteristics of 2,4-dichlorophenol(2,4-DCP) on ACMB were also evaluated from various perspectives. The ACMB with particle size of 10–16 mesh was found to be suitable for adsorbing 2,4-DCP, and the adsorption capacity decreased considerably with increasing solution pH. The adsorption of 2,4-DCP on ACMB was fast initially, and the adsorption equilibrium could be reached within 480 min. The kinetic data could be best described by the pseudo-second-order model. The equilibrium data followed Langmuir and R–P isothermal models more precisely. The column adsorption results showed that the ACMB had a long term and stable ability to purify 2,4-DCP-containing wastewater and the saturated ACMB could be regenerated easily by NaOH solution.

Keywords:

• Moso bamboo
• Activated carbon
• Adsorption
• 2,4-Dichlorophenol

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge financial support for this work provided by Project of the Priority Academic Program Development (PAPD) of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.