Adsorption of Cu(Ⅱ) from Aqueous Solution Using Activated Carbon Modified with Nitric Acid

The objective of the presented work was to assess the adsorption processes of Cu(Ⅱ) from aqueous solution onto a granular activated carbon (GAC) and a modified activated carbon (MAC) with nitric acid. Available surface functional groups, pH of the isoelectric point (pHIEP), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopes were obtained to characterize the GAC/MAC. Factors influencing Cu(Ⅱ) adsorption such as adsorbent dosage, pH of solution, and contact time of the adsorption onto the MAC/GAC had been investigated in a batch experiment. Experimental equilibrium data had been obtained and modelled using both Freundlich and Langmuir classical adsorption isotherms and the data fitted better to Langmuir isotherm. It was found that nitric acid modification increased the Cu(Ⅱ) adsorption capacity to 90.9 mg/g, which was higher than the unmodified carbon by 41%. Two simplified models including pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations were selected to follow the adsorption processes.