Adsorption of mercury by sugi wood carbonized at 1000°C

Abstract

The ability of sugi wood carbonized at 1000°C to adsorb mercury was examined using aqueous solutions of mercuric chloride. Parameters studied include contact time, pH, adsorption temperature, and initial concentration of mercury in solution. Results showed that sugi wood carbonized at 1000°C could effectively remove mercury from aqueous solutions. The carbonized wood showed high adsorption ability for mercury at a wide pH range (pH 3-9), but its ability drastically decreased at pH 11. Adsorption decreased with increases in adsorption temperatures, indicating that the processes were exothermic in nature. Adsorption was found to follow the Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption capacity of carbonized sugi wood was comparable to that of commercial activated carbon. © The Japan Wood Research Society 2001.