Adsorption of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solution onto Lab-Made Mesopore Activated Carbon

Abstract

In the present investigation, lab-made mesoporous activated carbon (MAC) was prepared for testing the ability to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The influences of several operating parameters such as pH and temperature on the adsorption were investigated. Solution pH is found highly influencing the adsorption and low pH is favorable for Cr(VI) adsorption. The adsorption of Cr(VI) is enhanced with increased temperature. Thermodynamic parameters were evaluated and the adsorption was endothermic. Several adsorption isotherms include Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich(D–R) were used to fit the equilibrium data. The adsorption kinetic data of Cr(VI) were analyzed and was found fitting well in pseudo-second order equation. The lab-made MAC is found to be effective adsorbent for removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.