Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Modification of coal-based activated carbon with nitric acid using microwave radiation for adsorption of phenanthrene and naphthalene

  • Published:
Research on Chemical Intermediates Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In order to obtain directional structure and characteristics of coal-based activated carbon (CAC), it was modified with nitric acid using microwave radiation. The effects of various factors on this modification were analyzed. The adsorption capacities of the modified CAC (MCAC) were evaluated by determining the adsorbed amounts of methylene blue and iodine. The results showed that MCAC-16h (oxidation time 16 h, nitric acid concentration 20 %; microwave time 8 min, and microwave power 500 W) possess excellent adsorption capacities. CAC and MCAC-16h were characterized by performing scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Boehm method, point of zero charge determination, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as by determining the adsorption capacities of phenanthrene and naphthalene. SEM results showed that the surface of MCAC-16h became clean and smooth. The BET surface area, pore volume and average pore diameter of the modified sample slightly increased; meanwhile, the acidic functional groups significantly decreased, resulting in an increased pHpzc value. XPS results showed that the content of elements ratio of C/O increased from 2.25 to 3.68. Adsorption isotherms revealed that Langmuir model was applicable for CAC and MCAC-16h. Furthermore, kinetic studies indicated that the pseudo-second-order fitted well for phenanthrene and naphthalene. The modified sample exhibited superior performance over CAC for naphthalene and phenanthrene. In addition, the adsorption capacity for phenanthrene was larger than that for naphthalene. The results suggest that microwave radiation is an efficient and rapid method for the modification of activated carbons and which achieved the effective removal for the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. C.Y. Yin, M.K. Aroua, W.M. Ashri, Sep. Purif. Method 403, 52 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  2. P. Chingombe, B. Saha, R.J. Waleman, Carbon 3132, 43 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  3. X.C. Lu, J.C. Jiang, K. Sun, D.D. Cui, Appl. Surf. Sci. 1656, 258 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  4. J. Shim, S. Park, S. Ryu, Carbon 1635, 39 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  5. M. Domingo-Garcia, F.J. Lopez-Garzon, M. Perez-Mendoza, J. Colloid, Inter. Sci. 233, 222 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Q.S. Liu, T. Zheng, P. Wang, L Guo. Ind. Crop. Prod. 233, 31 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Q.S. Liu, T. Zheng, N. Li, P. Wang, G. Abulikemu, Appl. Surf. Sci. 3309, 256 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  8. J.A. Menendez, E.M. Menendez, M.J. Iglesias, A. Garcia, J.J. Pis, Carbon 1115, 37 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Y.Y. He, X.C. Wang, Colloid Surf. A 93, 379 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  10. C.O. Ania, B. Cabal, C. Pevida, A. Arenillas, J.B. Parra, F. Rubiera, J.J. Pis, Appl. Surf. Sci. 5741, 253 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  11. B. Cabal, T. Budinova, C.O. Ania, B. Tsyntsarski, J.B. Parra, B. Petrova, J. Hazard. Mater. 161, 161 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  12. K. Yang, B. Xing, Environ. Pollut. 529, 145 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  13. H.P. Boehm, Carbon 759, 32 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  14. J.W. Kim, M.H. Sohn, D.S. Kim, S.M. Sohn, Y.S. Kwon, J. Hazard. Mater. 301, 85 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  15. S. Lei, J. Miyamoto, H. Kanoh, Y. Nakahigashi, K. Kaneko, Carbon 1884, 44 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  16. K.J. Wu, X.Y. Guan, J.H. Guan, H. Chen, G.F. Lin, Chin. J. Chem. 1002, 36 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  17. W. Li, L.B. Zhang, J.H. Peng, N. Li, X.Y. Zhu, Ind. Crop. Prod. 341, 27 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  18. T.H. Wang, S.X. Tan, C.H. Liang, Carbon 1880, 47 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  19. K.Y. Foo, B.H. Hameed, Chem. Eng. J.57, 184, 57 (2012)

  20. X.C. Lu, J.C. Jiang, K. Sun, X.P. Xie, Y.M. Hu, Appl. Surf. Sci. 8247, 258 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  21. K.V. Kumar, C.V. Calahorro, J.M. Juarez, M.M. Sabio, J.S. Albero, F.R. Reinoso, Chem. Eng. J. 424, 162 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  22. K.Y. Foo, B.H. Hamee, Chem. Eng. J. 385, 173 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  23. J.L. Figueiredo, M.F.R. Pereira, M.M.A. Freitas, J.J.M. Orfao, Carbon 1379, 37 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  24. L.Q. Zhang, M. Mi, B. Li, Y. Dong, Res. J. Appl. Sci. Eng. Technol. 1791, 5 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  25. J.M. Valente Nabais, P.J.M. Carrott, M.M.L. Ribeiro, Carrott, J.A. Menendez. Carbon 1315, 42 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  26. J.P. Chen, S.N. Wu, Langmuir 2233, 20 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  27. X.L. Song, H.Y. Liu, L. Cheng, Y.X. Qu, Desalination 78, 255 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  28. M. El-Merraoui, H. Tamai, H. Yasuda, T. Kanata, J. Mondori, K. Nadai, K. Kaneko, Carbon 1769, 36 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Z. Ryu, H. Rong, J. Zheng, M. Wang, B. Zhang, Carbon 1131, 40 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  30. M.J. Yuan, S.T. Tong, S.Q. Zhao, C.Q. Jia, J. Hazard. Mater. 1115, 181 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  31. A.M. Dowaidar, M.S. EI-Shahawi, I. Ashour, Sep. Sci. Technol. 3609, 42 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  32. J. Bu, G. Loh, C.G. Gwie, S. Dewiyanti, M. Tasrif, A. Borgna, Chem. Eng. J. 207, 166 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  33. J. Febrianto, A.N. Kosasih, J. Sunarso, Y.H. Ju, N. Indraswati, S. Ismadji, J. Hazard. Mater. 616, 162 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  34. T. Garcia, R. Murillo, D. Cazorla-Amoros, A.M. Mastral, A. Linares-Solano, Carbon 1683, 42 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  35. C. Valderrama, J.L. Cortina, A. Farran, X. Gamisans, C.J. Lao, Colloid Inter. Sci. 35, 310 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  36. P. Vassileva, P. Tzvetkova, R. Nickolov, Fuel 387, 88 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Y.S. Ho, G. McKay, Process Biochem. 451, 34 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  38. B.H. Hameed, I.A.W. Tan, A.L. Ahmad, Chem. Eng. J. 235, 144 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported financially by funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51262025) and the International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Project of Xinjiang Bingtuan (2013BC002).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, People’s Republic of China

    Xinyu Ge, Xinfang Ma, Zhansheng Wu, Xuemin Xiao & Yujun Yan

Authors
  1. Xinyu Ge
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xinfang Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhansheng Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xuemin Xiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yujun Yan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhansheng Wu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ge, X., Ma, X., Wu, Z. et al. Modification of coal-based activated carbon with nitric acid using microwave radiation for adsorption of phenanthrene and naphthalene. Res Chem Intermed 41, 7327–7347 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-014-1815-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-014-1815-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation