Preparation and characterization of activated carbon developed from cotton cloth residue activated with phosphoric acid: adsorption of clofibric acid

Cotton cloth waste was used as a precursor to prepare activated carbon (ACCs) chemically activated with phosphoric acid. Adsorption behavior of prepared ACCs was correlated with physicochemical proprieties. The pore volume and BET surface of ACCs were determined by nitrogen adsorption isotherms and scanning electron microscopy was used to observe their surface morphologies. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis and pH point zero charge (pH(PZC)) were conducted to determine chemical properties. Under the optimal conditions: 50% impregnation ratio and thermal treatment under N-2 flow at 600 degrees C during 60 min, the activated carbon prepared exhibits a high surface area 1,150 m(2)/g, 0.501 cm(3)/g micropore volume and an excellent adsorption performance. The adsorbed amount of clofibric acid is found to be 9.98 and 83 mg/g at, respectively, initial CA concentration of 10 and 100 mg/L at pH 3.0 and 20 degrees C. Diffusion and chemisorption are the steps controlling the adsorption of CA onto ACC 50% and the equilibrium data were well described by Freundlich isotherm.