Optimisation of Arsenic Adsorption from Water by Carbon Nanofibres Grown on Powdered Activated Carbon Impregnated with Nickel

Abstract

Contamination of water due to arsenic (As) is increasing in many parts of the world. The
\nremoval of As from aqueous solution by using impregnated Carbon Nanofibres (CNFs) as the adsorbent is
\nreported in this paper. The effects of pH, CNFs dosage, contact time and initial concentration of arsenic
\nwere studied at room temperature (± 25° C). The interactions among the parameters were also investigated.
\nThe data obtained from the adsorption experiment were analysed using statistical software in order to
\ndevelop a regression equation to represent the optimum operating conditions. The interactions of each
\nparameters were considered during this analysis and the result indicated that the highest removal (97.25%)
\nof As can be attained at pH 6, initial concentration of arsenic of 0.08 mg/L, contact time of 60 min and
\nCNF dosage of 200 mg/L. Comparison between impregnated CNF and Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC)
\nwere also done and it is determined that impregnated CNF has better removal compared to PAC alone. The
\nfinal concentration of As after the treatment using CNFs was about 8 ~ 10 times less than that of using
\nPAC. Therefore, it can be concluded that CNFs are highly potential for the adsorption of As from water.