Interaction of phenol and chlorophenols with activated carbon and synthetic zeolites in aqueous media

The adsorption of phenol and the three chlorophenol (CP) isomers from aqueo us solutions (in the concentration range 0.6-48 mmol dm(-3)) at 293 +/- 3 K has been studied in an agitated batch system using activated carbon and Na -Y and Ni/Na-Y zeolites as adsorbents. While equilibrium uptake on activate d carbon was achieved within the first 2 to 4 h, extended treatment times w ere required to ensure an attainment of the maximum uptake on the zeolite s amples; the latter observation is attributed to diffusion limitations. Upta ke of CP on Na-Y was characterized by cyclical behavior indicative of a rev ersibly and irreversibly adsorbed component. The experimental adsorption is otherms were regressed using standard Langmuir and Freundlich treatments. U ptake on both activated carbon and Na-Y adhered to the Langmuir model, whic h, however, provided a poor fit to the Ni/Na-Y data; the latter were better represented by a Freundlich model. Adsorption is discussed in terms of the affinity factors that are extracted from the model isotherms and the varia tion of solution pH with uptake is illustrated. The three sorbents are asse ssed in terms of solute removal efficiencies, rates of adsorption, and sorb ent capacities and the nature of sorbate/sorbent interactions are discussed . The heat evolved during adsorption was measured by calorimetry and the va lues/trends are compared with the model isotherm affinity parameters. (C) 2 000 Academic Press.