Modified Activated Carbon for Optimum DNP Removal

Abstract

This study investigates the capability of chemical pre-treated activated carbon in adsorbing phenolic compound 2, 4-dinitrophenol from aqueous solution. Chemical treatments such as acidic and basic treatment were applied on activated carbon. 0.3 mg of treated activated carbon was placed in Erlenmeyer flasks containing 50 mL of 5 mg/L 2, 4-dinitrophenol and incubated at 25 ± 2 oC with rotation speed of 150 rpm for 6 hours. Absorbance value was measured and calculated as the final concentration of 2, 4-dinitrophenol. The effects of three parameters; pH, temperature and contact time were examined by both treated activated carbons. Acidic treatment of activated carbon has a better adsorption capability. The highest percentage of 92 %, 78 % and 64 % occurred at pH 3, temperature 20 oC and at 2 hours, respectively. For the optimization using Response Surface Methodology, the predicted optimized physicochemical parameters were at pH 4, temperature 40 oC, and 2.5 hours contact time, which resulted in 98% removal of 2, 4-dinitrophenol.