ADSORPTION OF ACID BLUE 1 ON ACTIVATED CARBON PRODUCED FROM THE WOOD OF Ailanthus altissima

Carbon prepared from the wood of Ailanthus altissima, at 400 and 800 degrees C was used to adsorb acid blue 1 from aqueous solution at 10 degrees C and 45 degrees C. Characterization by XRD, SEM, EDS and FTIR shows that the surfaces contain functional groups like carboxyl which disappear at 800 degrees C and thus favor the exposure of more porous structural surfaces which enhance the adsorption capacity. Relatively high amounts of carbon with respect to oxygen were found with the increase in activation temperature. First order, Bangham and parabolic models were found to fit the adsorption kinetic data. The reaction rate increased with the increase in temperature of adsorption/activation. Thermodynamic parameters like.Delta E-not equal, Delta H-not equal, Delta S-not equal and Delta G(not equal) were calculated. The negative values of Delta S-not equal reflect the decrease in the disorder of the system at the solid-solution interface, during adsorption. Gibbs free energy (Delta G(not equal)) represents the driving force for the affinity of dye for the carbon and it decreased with the increase in adsorption/activation temperature.