Novel polymer-based nanoporous carbon adsorbent for removal of pentachlorophenol from water

Polyolefin material - polyolefin wax, a by-product from industrial production of polyethylene at low pressure - was used for preparation of nanoporous activated carbon. The adsorbent surface characterization revealed well-developed surface area and presence of high amount of surface functional groups, capable of binding the adsorbate molecules. The results suggest a possible use of polymer waste as a suitable precursor for production of nanoporous activated carbon, thus lowering the cost of wastewater treatment processes. The obtained activated carbon was applied for adsorption of pentachlorophenol (PCP) from aqueous solution. Batch adsorbing experiments were performed under different conditions, i.e. concentration of pentachlorophenol, pH, contact time, etc. The adsorption of pentachlorophenol was found to follow Langmuir equation, as well as Freundlich equation.