Removal of Cr(VI), Cd(II), and Cu(II) by activated carbon prepared from almond husk

Abstract

Activated carbon was prepared from almond husk by activating with and without H2SO4 at different temperatures. The ability of the activated carbon to remove some metal ions from aqueous solutions by adsorption has been investigated under several conditions such as carbonisation temperature of husk, concentration of metal ions, contact time, and adsorbent dosage. Optimum contact time was found to be 180 minutes for an initial concentration of 100 mg 1 at 5 g of adsorbent per 100 ml. The results showed that effective metal ions on the activated carbon was obtained by adding H2SO4 at 700 degreesC at the optimal conditions, the removal of Cr(VI), Cd(II), and Cu(II) were found to be 94.4, 93.7, and 94.7%, respectively. The Freundlich constants were calculated at differential initial concentrations under optimal conditions.