Abstract:

Activated carbon based pomegranate peels with potassium hydroxide as activating agent has been undertaken in the present study. Experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of different process parameters: the impregnation ratio, the temperature and the time of activation, followed by optimization. Activated carbon prepared in the optimum conditions with high specific surface area of 1403 m2g-1 and total pore volume of 0.7 cm3g-1 was evaluated for its ability to remove the 2-Nitrophenol from an aqueous solution in a batch process. Equilibrium studies were conducted in the range of 100-500 mg/L initial 2-Nitrophenol concentrations at temperature of 30°C. The experimental data were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. The kinetic models studies were also conducted. The pseudo-second order equation was the best applicable model to describe the adsorption process of 2-Nitrophenol onto optimized activated carbon compared to the commercial material.

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