Environmental Science and Pollution Research

, Volume 20, Issue 3, pp 1261–1268 | Cite as

Chromium removal from water by activated carbon developed from waste rubber tires

  • Vinod Kumar Gupta
  • Imran Ali
  • Tawfik A. Saleh
  • M. N. Siddiqui
  • Shilpi Agarwal
Research Article

Abstract

Because of the continuous production of large amount of waste tires, the disposal of waste tires represents a major environmental issue throughout the world. This paper reports the utilization of waste tires (hard-to-dispose waste) as a precursor in the production of activated carbons (pollution-cleaning adsorbent). In the preparation of activated carbon (AC), waste rubber tire (WRT) was thermally treated and activated. The tire-derived activated carbon was characterized by means of scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, FTIR spectrophotometer, and X-ray diffraction. In the IR spectrum, a number of bands centred at about 3409, 2350, 1710, 1650, and 1300–1000 cm−1 prove the present of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the surface of AC in addition to C═C double bonds. The developed AC was tested and evaluated as potential adsorbent removal of chromium (III). Experimental parameters, such as contact time, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage and pH were optimized. A rapid uptake of chromium ions was observed and the equilibrium is achieved in 1 h. It was also found that the adsorption process is pH dependent. This work adds to the global discussion of the cost-effective utilization of waste rubber tires for waste water treatment.

Keywords

Activated carbon Chromium Waste rubber tires Adsorption 

Notes

Acknowledgment

The author(s) would like to acknowledge the support provided by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) through the Science & Technology Unit at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) for funding this work through project No.10-WAT1400-04.as part of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  • Vinod Kumar Gupta
    • 1
    • 2
  • Imran Ali
    • 3
  • Tawfik A. Saleh
    • 2
  • M. N. Siddiqui
    • 2
  • Shilpi Agarwal
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of ChemistryIndian Institute of Technology RoorkeeRoorkeeIndia
  2. 2.Chemistry DepartmentKing Fahd University of Petroleum & MineralsDhahranSaudi Arabia
  3. 3.Chemistry DepartmentJammia Millia IslamiaNew DelhiIndia

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