Removal of al(III) and cu(II) from textile wastewater using activated carbon prepared from rubberwood sawdust and kenaf core fiber

Abstract

This study reports on the use of activated carbon prepared from rubberwood sawdust and kenaf core fiber, as an adsorbent for the removal of aluminum, Al(III) and copper, Cu(II) in textile wastewater. Rubberwood activated carbon (RWAC) and kenaf core fiber activated carbon (KFAC) were prepared by chemical activation using 10%w/w-60%w/w of phosphoric acid (H3PO4) loading. Adsorption experiments for both activated carbons were performed on the effect of contact time, pH, and dosage of activated carbon used. The best RWAC and KFAC were obtained by 40% and 30% loading of H3PO4 with a BET surface area of 303.65 m2/g and 361.22 m2/g respectively. This has been approved by the FESEM images of well-developed pores observed on the surface of both activated carbons. FTIR spectra show some functional group intensity becomes less, more or shift to a higher or lower frequency level, even disappeared after carbonization and activation process. The maximum Al(III) and Cu(II) removal were achieved using KFAC with 83.5% and 73.5% removal, respectively at pH 11 with 2.0 g of activated carbon dosage after 120 minutes of contact time. This study indicated that the prepared activated carbon able to remove the heavy metal in the textile wastewater.