Activated carbon (AC) and samples prepared by treatment of the materia
l under different temperature conditions and atmospheres (H2S, SO2, N-
2) were used in the adsorption of Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions. Th
e adsorption isotherms for Cd2+ were determined at 25, 35 and 45 degre
es C at unchanged pH of the adsorptive solution, and at 25 degrees C a
lso at pH 2.0. The treatments of AC, and especially when the material
was heated in N-2, resulted in a significant increase in the adsorptio
n of Cd2+. The pH change in the Cd2+ solution whether substantially de
creased the adsorption of metallic ion or not depending on the adsorbe
nt. The adsorption of Cd2+ decreased greatly at the higher temperature
s. Kinetics of the adsorption process was faster when AC was heated in
H2S, and slower when the material was treated successively in SO2 and
H2S. Generally, the adsorption process decelerated at the lower pH va
lue. However, it was accelerated with the temperature increase. For th
e sample prepared in SO2 and H2S, kinetics was almost isensitive to pH
and temperature changes.