Optimization Conditions of the Preparation of Activated Carbon Based Egusi (<i>Cucumeropsis mannii</i> Naudin) Seed Shells for Nitrate Ions Removal from Wastewater — Oak Academic Publishing
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Optimization Conditions of the Preparation of Activated Carbon Based Egusi (<i>Cucumeropsis mannii</i> Naudin) Seed Shells for Nitrate Ions Removal from Wastewater
Applied Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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Applied Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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Applied Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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Applied Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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Applied Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
1 Applied Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
2 Applied Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
3 H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
4 Applied Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
5 Applied Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
6 H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
7 Applied Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
Egusi seed shells (ESS) were used as precursor for the preparation of two activated carbons (ACs) following H 3 PO 4 and ZnCl 2 activation. The effect of factors controlling the preparation of ACs such as chemical activating agent concentration (2 - 10 M), activation temperature (400°C - 700°C) and residence time (30 - 120 min) were optimized using the Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The optimized activated carbons based H 3 PO 4 (ACP) and ZnCl 2 (ACZ) were characterized by N2 adsorption, elemental analysis, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Boehm titration and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) techniques. The specific surface area was found to be 1053.91 and 1009.89 m 2 ·g -1 for ACP and ACZ respectively. The adsorbents had similar surface functionalities and were both microporous. The effect of various parameters such as initial pH, concentration, and contact time on the adsorption of nitrate ions on ACP and ACZ in aqueous solution was studied. ACZ demonstrated better adsorption capacity (8.26 mg·g -1 ) compared to ACP (5.65 mg·g -1 ) at the same equilibrium time of 20 min. The adsorption process was governed by a “physical interactions” phenomenon for both adsorbents.
KeywordsEgusi Seed ShellsActivated CarbonOptimizationNitrate IonsWastewaterAdsorption Process
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