Production and characterization of activated carbons from waste candeia (eremanthus erythropappus) and their application on organic compounds adsorption

In this work, two activated carbons were prepared, using as activating agents ZnCl2 and K2CO3, denominated CA/ZnCl2,CA/ K2CO3, respectively, from waste generated in the process of extraction of essential oil of Candeia, a tree native of Brazil. These carbons were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, elemental analysis, BET surface area and iodine index. These materials were tested in the adsorption of model molecules: Phenol and Methylene Blue, and a commercial activated carbon (Merck) was used for comparison purposes. Adsorption isotherms for CA/ZnCl2,CA/K2CO3 and CA/Com showed maximum sorption capacities of 297, 228 and 271 mg g-1 for Methylene Blue and 109,195 and 161 mg g-1 for phenol respectively. The results showed that the carbons are efficient in the adsorption process of molecules tested. The isotherms were fitted to equations of Langmuir and Freundlich. The Langmuir model provided better fit, showing that the adsorbents have energetically uniform surfaces. The materials produced were characterized as potential adsorbents for organic compounds that can be used as an alternative for obtaining activated carbons adding value to the residue.