Year: 2025 | Month: November | Volume: 12 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 125-133
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20251114
Chemical Activation of Charcoal and Application to the Adsorption of Nickel Ions in Aqueous Solution
Engambé Christ Bardoul1,2, Ngoro-Elenga Ferland2, Bibila Mafoumba Jean Claude1,2, Kounampo-Okouo Avinth Carmel1,3, Tchoumou Martin2,3
1Faculty of Applied Sciences, Denis Sassou N’guesso University, Kintélé, Republic of Congo
2Laboratory of Mineral and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Marien N’gouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
3Unit of Plant Chemistry and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Marien N’gouabi University, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
Corresponding Author: Engambé Christ Bardoul
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the nickel adsorption capacity of carbons that have been chemically activated using phosphoric acid (CAA) and potassium hydroxide (PAC). A series of experimental tests were conducted to optimize the adsorption efficiency of the activated carbons within a controlled environment. The adsorbate consisted of a synthetic nickel solution prepared in distilled water. Experimental results demonstrated that the retention of nickel ions by both CAA and PAC is a reversible adsorption phenomenon. The adsorption efficiency, quantified as percentage adsorption (% Ads), exhibited significant improvement, achieving a maximum adsorption equilibrium after a duration of 60 minutes for both CAA and PAC. Moreover, the pH of the treatment solution exhibited a substantial influence on the adsorption kinetics, with optimal yields occurring at a pH of 6. It was noted that the adsorption efficiency increased proportionally with the mass of the adsorbent employed. Kinetic and isotherm analyses indicated that nickel adsorption adhered to the Langmuir and Freundlich models, suggesting a heterogeneous adsorption process consistent with multilayer adsorption on the adsorbent surfaces.
Keywords: pollution, heavy metals, adsorbent, reversibility and efficiency
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