Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry ›› 2017, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (5): 597-605.DOI: 10.11944/j.issn.1000-0518.2017.05.160335

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Preparation of Activated Carbon from Waste Residue of Chinese Prickly Ash Seeds Activated with K2CO3 and Its Adsorption Properties for p-Nitrophenol

WANG Yafei,YU Xia,ZHU Yu,ZHA Fei()   

  1. College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering,Northwest Normal University,Lanzhou 730070,China
  • Received:2016-08-22 Accepted:2016-12-27 Published:2017-05-02 Online:2017-05-02
  • Contact: ZHA Fei
  • Supported by:
    Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.21161017), Basic Research Fund of Gansu Province

Abstract:

To achieve the recycling of agricultural wastes, activated carbons were prepared from waste residue of Chinese prickly ash seeds(RPS) activated by K2CO3(KAC). It was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer(FTIR), scanning elecrton microscopy(SEM), thermal gravimetric analyzer(TGA), energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), X-ray diffraction(XRD) and N2-adsorption-desorption. The effect of various process parameters such as the impregnation ratio(mass ratio of K2CO3 to waste residue of Chinese prickly ash seeds) and time, and the carbonisation temperature and time on the yield was analyzed. Under the conditions that the impregnation ratio is 0.8, the impregnation time is 12 h, the carbonisation temperature is 550 ℃ and the carbonisation time is 60 min, the yield, specific area, iodine number, and methylene blue adsorption capacity of activated carbon are 29.3%, 1210 m2/g, 1002 mg/g, and 362 mg/g, respectively. The ash and moisture masses are 2.2% and 6.6%, respectively. Its adsorption capacity for p-nitrophenol is 406 mg/g at 293 K, pH=8.0 after being adsorbed for 180 min. Thermodynamics studies show that the adsorption process can be favorably described by Langmuir isotherm and the adsorption kinetics is better fitted to the pseudo-second-order model. Preparation of KAC has the advantages of low cost materials and simple technics. Activated carbon prepared has the good adsorption property and can be applied in many fields.

Key words: Chinese prickly ash seeds, activated carbon, p-nitrophenol, adsorption