Mesoporous-activated carbon prepared from chitosan flakes via single-step sodium hydroxide activation for the adsorption of methylene blue

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2017-05, Vol.98, p.233-239
• Main Authors: Marrakchi, F., Ahmed, M.J., Khanday, W.A., Asif, M., Hameed, B.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activation; Adsorption; Charcoal - chemistry; Chitosan; Chitosan - chemistry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Kinetics; Mesoporous carbon; Methylene blue; Methylene Blue - chemistry; Methylene Blue - isolation & purification; Porosity; Sodium Hydroxide - chemistry; Temperature; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - isolation & purification
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.01.119

In this work, mesoporous-activated carbon (CSAC) was prepared from chitosan flakes (CS) via single-step sodium hydroxide activation for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB). CSAC was prepared using different impregnation ratios of NaOH:CS (1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 4:1) at 800°C for 90min. The adsorption performance of CSAC was evaluated for MB at different adsorption variables, such MB initial concentrations (25–400mg/L), solution pH (3–11), and temperature (30–50°C). The adsorption isotherm data of CSAC-MB were well fitted to Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity 143.53mg/g at 50°C. Best representation of kinetic data was obtained by the pseudo-second order model. CSAC exhibited excellent adsorption uptake for MB and can potentially be used for other cationic dyes.