REMOVAL OF COPPER IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING PALM SHELL CHARCOAL ACTIVATED BY NAOH

Abstract

: Charcoal nanoparticles obtained through pyrolysis of palm kernel and activated by NaOHwere prepared for adsorption of copper ions (Cu2+) from aqueous solutions. The effect of contact time (30–150 min) and initial adsorbate concentration (30–150 ppm) on adsorption of Cu2+ ions was investigated usingbatch adsorption experiments. Adsorption efficiency, suitability of Langmuir and Freundlich adsorptionmodels, and kinetics of adsorption were studied. The results show that efficiency of Cu2+ ion removaldecreased with increasing initial adsorbate concentration. Higher removal efficiencies (99%) were achievedat initial adsorbate concentration of 30 ppm and contact time of 90 min. The adsorption process was welldescribed by the Freundlich isotherm model with an exponent (n) and equilibrium constant (Kf) of 9.59×10-5mg/g and 0.182, respectively..