Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from Fagopyrum esculentum Moench by HNO3 and H3PO4 chemical activation

Activated carbon has been synthesized from bio-waste materials of the plant Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. Chemical activation of the carbon was done by HNO3 and H3PO4. Characterization includes pH, apparent density, point of zero charge (pHpzc), Boehm titration, iodine number, proximate analysis and the surface characterization was done with BET, EDX and SEM. Activated carbon provides a large section of surface area, in order to allow contaminants to be adsorbed on the surface area depending on the functional group and ions present on the surface of the activated carbon, its adsorption quality varies. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption of Methylene blue dye on the activated carbon were studied. Due to the presence of numerous pores size as well as various functional groups on the activated carbon, methylene blue could be adsorbed effectively and efficiently thus proving that this activated carbon can be considered a good adsorbent for removal of dye from water.

Author(s): Daniel Kibami, Chubaakum Pongener, K. S. Rao and Dipak Sinha

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