Studies on the Removal of Ni (II) from Aqueous Solution by Activated Carbon Developed from Cottonseed Cake Activated with Sulphuric Acid

Activated carbon was prepared from cottonseed cake (CSCC) by chemical activation with sulphuric acid followed by bicarbonate addition, was applied for the adsorption of Ni (II) from aqueous solutions. Batch experiments were carried out to study the effect of various parameters such as contact time, pH and adsorbent dosage on Ni (II) along with, commercial activated carbon (CAC). Surface morphology and elemental analysis of CSCC and CAC before and after adsorption were characterized by SEM and EDX. Compared with CAC, the CSCC had a wider applicable range of pH from 3.0-8.0. Equilibrium data agreed well with Langmuir isotherm for CSCC and CAC, respectively. Based on the Langmuir isotherm the adsorption capacity was found to be 43.48 mg g-1 for CSCC, which was significantly 3.2 times greater than that of CAC (13.42 mg g-1). The kinetic data followed pseudo-second order model and thermodynamic parameter shows that the process is spontaneous in nature.