Effect of pH, cation concentration and sorbent concentration on cadmium and copper removal by a granular activated carbon

Abstract

The single adsorption of cadmium and copper from aqueous solutions has been investigated on Darco 12–20 mesh granular activated carbon for a wide range of experimental conditions: pH, metal concentration and carbon concentration. The results showed the efficiency of the activated carbon as sorbent for both metals. Metal removal increases on raising pH and carbon concentration, and decreases on raising the initial metal concentration. The adsorption processes have been modelled using the surface complex formation (SCF) Triple Layer Model (TLM) with a single surface bidentate species or with an overall surface species with fractional stoichiometry. Bidentate stoichiometry considering pH, metal concentration and carbon concentration dependencies successfully predicted cadmium and copper removals for all experimental conditions. The Freundlich isotherm has been also checked. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry