A Novel Adsorbent Obtained by Caging Activated Carbon by Konjac Glucomannan Gel for Elimination of Organic Compounds

In this study, the adsorptive ability of the konjac glucomannan gel containing activated carbon (KGMG-AC) was investigated by measuring the removal of several organic compounds with different charges, such as nitrobenzene (NB), methylene blue (MB), and rose bengale (RB). The physical and chemical properties, adsorption dynamics, adsorption isotherms, and the effect of pH of the adsorbents were compared with those of a commercially available powdered activated carbon (AC). The results of the present study indicate that the removal ratio of NB, MB, and RB onto KGMG-AC was slightly higher than that of the AC. The adsorption equilibrium constant (K-L) value (0.02 L/mg) of KGMG-AC for NB was similar to that of AC (0.03 L/mg). However, the saturated adsorption amount (Q(0)) of KGMG-AC (368 mg/g) for NB was slightly larger than that of AC (354 mg/g). The saturated adsorption amounts of MB and RB on KGMG-AC were 302 and 259 mg/g, respectively. On the other hand, a high molecular weight humic acid was not adsorbed by KGMG-AC. Thus, entrapping AC into KGMG resulted in the selective adsorption. Therefore, this study could show that KGMG-AC was a new environmental friendly adsorbent that can be easily prepared, used, and recovered in environments. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40542.