Preparation and characterization of microporous NaOH-activated carbons from hydrofluoric acid leached rice husk and its application for lead(II) adsorption

Abstract

Three activated carbons (ACs) were prepared using NaOH (N) as an activating agent. Hy-drofluoric acid pre-leached rice husk was used as a precursor. After leaching, the precursor was washed with distilled water, dried, crushed, and then sieved; a size fraction of 0.3-0.5 mm was selected for carbonization in the absence of air at 600°C. The carbonization product (LC) was mixed with NaOH at ratios of 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 (wt of LC: wt of NaOH) and the produced ACs after activation at 800°C were designated NLC21, NLC31, and NLC41, respectively. Surface and textural properties were determined using nitrogen adsorption at-196°C, scanning electron microscopy images, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectra. These ACs were used as adsorbents for lead(II) from aqueous solutions. The effects of the textural properties and the chemistry of the carbon surfaces were investigated and the impact of the operation conditions on the capacity for lead(II) sorption was also considered. Modification of NLC41 with H 2 O 2 and HNO 3 gave two other adsorbents, H NLC41 and N NLC41 respectively. These two new samples exhibited the highest removal capacities for lead(II), i.e.117.5 and 128.2 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption data fitted the Langmuir isotherm and the kinetic adsorption followed pseudo-second order kinet-ics. The thermodynamic parameters have been determined and they indicated a spontaneous endothermic process.