The removal of copper from aqueous solution using commercially activated carbon

In the present study, commercially activated carbon was investigated as a adsorbent for the removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption studies showed that commercially activated carbon was able to adsorb Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions in the concentration range of 100 – 200 mg L-1. The adsorption was favoured with maximum adsorption at pH 5, whereas the adsorption starts at pH 1. The effects of contact time, initial concentration of metal ions and adsorbent dosage have been reported. The applicability of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were tried for the system to completely understand the adsorption isotherm processes. Among these two isotherm models, the adsorption of Cu(II) ions on SUC fits very well with Langmuir adsorption isotherm which indicates the monolayer adsorption process. The commercially activated carbon was found to be cost effective and has good efficiency to remove copper ions from aqueous solution

Author(s): T. Nalini and Prabavathi Nagarajan

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