Preparation and characterisation of activated carbon from animal bones and its application for removal of organic micropollutants from aqueous solution

The present work aimed to investigate the removal feasibility of organic micropollutants (o-nitrophenol (o-NP) and p-nitrotoluene (p-NT)) from aqueous solutions using an original activated carbon prepared from chicken bones (CAB). The activated carbon is treated with 30% H2O2 and carbonised at 800 degrees C for 3h. Thus, the obtained CAB is characterised by the way of different physico-analytical methods as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the method of Boehm titration. The kinetic experimental data were fitted according to theoretical models: pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion models and the Elovich and Avrami models. The maximum removal obtained for o-NP and p-NT is around similar to 80% at 5-20mg/L respectively. The required time for the adsorption equilibrium is between 70 and 145min. The adsorption kinetics of o-NP and p-NT is tested according to the intraparticle diffusion equations. The results obtained in the present study indicate that the bioadsorbent material CAB is a promising adsorbent for the removal of organic micropollutants from wastewater.