Adsorption of dyes and phenols from water on the activated carbons prepared from corncob wastes

Pore structures and physical properties of the activated carbons prepared f rom corncob wastes at various activation temperatures (830, 860, 890 degree sC.) were first studied. Equilibria and rates of adsorption of two commerci al dyes, phenol, and 3-chlorophenol from water on such activated carbons we re then measured at 30 degreesC. All adsorption isotherms of the solutes co uld be well fitted by the Langmuir equation. Three simplified kinetic model s including pseudo-first-order equation, pseudo-second-order equation, and intraparticle diffusion model were selected to follow the adsorption proces ses. It was shown that the adsorption of both phenols could be best describ ed by the pseudo second-order equation, but that of both dyes best by the i ntraparticle diffusion model. Kinetic parameters of each best-fit model wer e calculated and discussed.