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Textural and surface chemistry of activated bagasse and its role in the removal of chromium ions from solution

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Abstract

The role of the surface chemical and physical properties of activated carbon in the removal of chromium was investigated. This was conducted by fitting the chromium removal by adsorption and reduction to Cr(III) to the physical properties including total surface and pore size of the carbon and its chemical property globally measured using carbon pH. The role of heteroatoms—sulfur, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen, to chromium removal was also investigated. This study showed that the structural and chemical properties displayed dual and conflicting properties in removing chromium. As such efficiencies gained in controlling the structure of the carbon are minimal. Optimal carbon properties which exhibited high chromium adsorption included high surface area, large pore size, high quantities of sulfur and nitrogen and minimal hydrogen and oxygen contents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    M. Valix, W. H. Cheung & K. Zhang

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  1. M. Valix
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  2. W. H. Cheung
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  3. K. Zhang
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Correspondence to M. Valix.

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Valix, M., Cheung, W.H. & Zhang, K. Textural and surface chemistry of activated bagasse and its role in the removal of chromium ions from solution. Adsorption 14, 711–718 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-008-9122-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-008-9122-0

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