Synthesis and characterisation of activated carbon and
its study on Cr (VI) removal from water

Abstract

A novel approach for the synthesis and characterization of activated carbon was used. Precursor used for the synthesis of the activated carbon was a mixture of coconut and bael fruit shells. Lignin and cellulose content of the precursor were determined. Chemical activation of the precursor was done using phosphoric acid. Carbonization was carried out in a tube furnace at 450 0 C under N2 atmosphere for 1 hour. The study was made for varying ratios of coconut and bael fruit shells at an acid concentration of 30%. Also, the effect of acid concentration and activation temperature on yield and BET surface area was made. The surface area was determined using BET analyzer using liquid nitrogen. The specific surface area for activated carbon synthesized from pure coconut and pure bael fruit shells were also determined. Characterization and application of the activated carbon was done for the sample prepared from bael and coconut shells in 1:2 ratio. The effect of activation temperature and acid concentration on yield of the activated carbon were studied. The activated carbon sample was used to study the Cr (VI) ion removal efficiency from water. The effect of various parameters like pH, adsorbent dosage, temperature and initial concentration of Cr (VI) on the Cr (VI) removal efficiency was studied. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption models were fitted to the experimental data.