Adsorption of 4-chlorophenol from aqueous solution on activated carbons derived from hornbeam wood
The adsorption of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) from aqueous solution on activated carbons prepared from hornbeam wood was studied. The adsorption kinetic data were analyzed using pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models. The adsorption kinetics of 4-CP was better represented by the pseudo-second order equation. The equilibrium adsorption data were described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and the results showed that both models fitted well the 4-CP adsorption; nevertheless, a slightly higher R2 values were observed for the Langmuir model. The effects of solution pH and ionic strength on the adsorption were so investigated. The high 4-CP adsorption capacity (2.71–4.37 mmol.g-1) shows that hornbeam wood is a good precursor for the preparation of activated carbons for the adsorptive removal of organic contaminants.