Adsorption pattern on the optimization of interaction time for the reduction of phenol with charcoal activated ZnCl₂

Interaction time significantly influenced the pattern of adsorption.This study aims to determine the characteristic of activated charcoal adsorbent, the decrease in phenol levels and its adsorption capacity, and test the adsorbent applicability to remove phenol from batik wastewater. The concentration of phenol was measured by UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results showed that the characters of activated charcoal adsorbent in accordance with Indonesian National Standard (INS) 06-3730-1995. Its characters were water content, ash content and iodine adsorption power. Characterization using Surface Area Analyser (SAA) showed that the surface area of activated charcoal was 68.54 m²/g. The percentage decrease in phenol concentration will be greater along with the increase in concentration where 92.90%; 95.60%; and 97.15% of phenol decrease were influenced by the increasing level concentration of 0.6 mg/L; 0.8 mg/L; and 1.0 respectively with 24 hours optimal contact time. The adsorption capacity of activated charcoal was 0.048575 mg/g while the isotherm adsorption pattern of adsorbent fulfilled the pattern of Freundlich isotherm. Therefore, the availability of high surface area makes the activated charcoal of marine pandan leaves has significant impact to the adsorption of phenol where it was contacted optimum at 24 hours interaction with Freundlich adsorption pattern. (paper)