Treatability Study of Phenol by Using Dracaena sanderiana  Based Activated Carbon from Synthetic Aqueous Solution

Naeem Abbas; Ayesha Ayesha; Javed Iqbal; Nadia Jamil; Naqi Hussain; Aqeel Abbas; Farah Deeba

Naeem Abbas Centre for Environment Protection Studies, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories, Lahore-54600, Pakistan
Ayesha Ayesha Botany Department, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Javed Iqbal Centre for Environment Protection Studies, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories, Lahore-54600, Pakistan
Nadia Jamil College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Naqi Hussain ACRC, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories, Lahore-54600, Pakistan
Aqeel Abbas Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, United Kingdom
Farah Deeba Centre for Environment Protection Studies, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories, Lahore-54600, Pakistan

Keywords: phenol removal, adsorption, activated carbon, Dracaena sanderiana, chemical activation

Abstract

Phenols in industrial wastewater are a great threat to human and aquatic life. For removing such a hazardous pollutant, adsorption is one of the efficient techniques. The current study highlights the preparation of Dracaena sanderiana based activated carbon and its characterization, physical and chemical activation and application. At the lab scale variable doses of activated carbon (AC) and its modified forms such as acid treated and furnace treated were applied for the removal of phenol from synthetic solution. The highest removal efficiency was observed at a dose of 0.2 g, 120 rpm and neutral pH (7) with a contact time of 1 h for acid treated AC. For optimization of this process, the addition of anthracite coal to acid treated AC resulted in the enhancement of its adsorbability. The FT-IR spectrum has provided ample information regarding functional groups responsible for the adsorbent after treatment. This study concludes that the adsorption of phenol through AC in combination with anthracite coal is an effective treatment option.