Absorption of phenol and methylene blue by activated carbon from pecan shells

Activated carbon is produced from pecan shells by chemical activation using phosphoric acid. This activation is followed by the treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate to prepare the surface for the adsorption of phenol and methylene blue from aqueous solution. The results showed a great ability for methylene blue removal with sorption capacity of 410 mg/g at pH 9 and solution concentration of 35 mg/l, while moderate adsorption was obtained for phenol with a capacity of 18 mg/g at pH 11 and the same solution concentration. The increase or decrease in solution pH has a favorable effect on the sorption of both adsorbates. Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to fit the experimental data.