Abstract

JIMENEZ RAMOS, Iliana et al. SYNTHESIS OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM THE EPICARP OF Attalea macrolepis AND ITS APPLICATION IN Pb ²⁺ REMOVAL IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2017, vol.33, n.2, pp.303-316. ISSN 0188-4999.  https://doi.org/10.20937/rica.2017.33.02.11.

In this research, synthesis of activated carbon from the epicarp of Attalea macrolepis was performed and evaluated as adsorbent to remove Pb2+ ions. The pH, adsorbent mass, time and initial concentration of Pb2+ were evaluated as important parameters in the adsorption process. Additionally, the mechanism of adsorption of Pb2+ ions on activated carbon was studied using Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich models. By Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the chemical functional groups: hydroxyl, carboxylate, olefins and aromatic were identified in the adsorbent material. The transmission electron microscopy showed the presence of heterogeneous particles agglomerates in the range of 149 to 185 nm in size. The optimum conditions for removal were 70 % of Pb2+ (5 mg/L) at pH 5, contact time of one hour, 150 mg mass of adsorbent, agitation at 1500 rpm and volume of 25 mL. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained was of 0.500 mg/g from isothermal studies. The adsorption energy calculated from the model of Dubinin-Radushkevich was 10.42 KJ/mol, which indicates that chemistry adsorption occurs in the activated carbon- Pb2+ system. These results demonstrate that the activated carbon prepared from the Attalea macrolepis epicarp represents an alternative, low-cost and eco-friendly, adsorbent to remove Pb2+ from aqueous systems.

Keywords : vegetable waste; pyrolysis; isotherms; chemical adsorption.

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