Preparation of Activated Carbon from the Shell’s Seeds of Ziziphus Spina Christi and its Application in Removal of Cd2+ from Water

Abstract

In this research two types of activated carbon (AC) were prepared from Sudanese Nabag shells. The first one of AC was prepared by pregnating the shells with sulphuric acid before carbonization. The second type of AC was prepared without chemical treatment. The percentage yield of the products were calculated and found to be 32.31% for the AC treated with acid and 24.88 % for AC prepared without chemical treatment. The functional groups for the two carbons were determined by FT-IR technique and the results showed the presence of O-H, C-H and Si-O in the two types of AC. The equilibrium time for the adsorption of cadmium ions at room temperature was determined and was found to be 20 minutes for the carbon prepared with acid and 10 minutes for the one prepared without chemical treatment. The adsorption efficiency and sorption capacity for these carbons was studied at different adsorbate concentrations. It was found that, the carbon prepared without acid showed a higher adsorptive capacity for removal of cadmium ions compared to the AC prepared with acid. They showed removal percentages of 50.2% and 14.77% at the same concentration and time respectively.