Adsorption of Cr(VI) onto cationic surfactant-modified activated carbon.
Highly toxic oxyanions, such as hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), have caused adverse effects on human health. This study evaluated the feasibility of using cationic surfactant-modified activated carbon (AC) to remove Cr(VI). To modify activated carbon using a cationic surfactant, AC was mixed with a surfactant solution of 0.5 critical micelle concentration (CMC), at which concentration the surfactant molecules exist as mono-molecules. Adsorption kinetics and an isotherm model were used to study the adsorption characteristics of Cr(VI) onto MAC. The adsorption capacity of MAC for Cr(V) was enhanced compared to that of AC. MAC modified by hexadecyltrimethylammonium had a higher adsorption capacity for the removal of Cr(VI) than that modified by cetylpyridinium. The modification of AC by a cationic surfactant enhanced both its Cr(VI) adsorption rate and its Cr(VI) adsorption capacity. The breakthrough point of MAC for Cr(VI) was 100 times greater than for the raw AC. As a result, MAC is a promising adsorbent to treat Cr(VI) in an aqueous stream.
Choi
Hyun-Doc
HD
Department of Environment Engineering, Kumoh National Institute of Technology, 1 Yangho-dong, Gumi, Gyeong-buk 730-701, Republic of Korea.
Jung
Woo-Sung
WS
Cho
Jung-Min
JM
Ryu
Byung-Gon
BG
Yang
Jung-Seok
JS
Baek
Kitae
K
D000327:Adsorption; D002412:Cations; D000077286:Cetrimonium; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds; D002606:Charcoal / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002857:Chromium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D007700:Kinetics; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification
D002412:Cations; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002857:Chromium; D002606:Charcoal; D000077286:Cetrimonium