REMOVAL OF ORGANIC POLLUTANTS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION: PART 1, ADSORPTION OF PHENOL BY ACTIVATED CARBON

Adsorption of some phenols on steam-activated carbon has been investigated. The adsorption isotherms have been found to be first order in the low concentration range giving a plateau at high bulk solution concentrations. The thermodynamic parameters for the adsorption of o-cWorophenol and resorcinol have been calculated on the basis of Everett's isotherm equation. The pKa value is an important factor in determining the adsorption capacity. Hydrogen bonding retards the adsorption of phenols on activated carbons. .