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Preparation, characterization and application of H3PO4-activated carbon from Pentaclethra macrophylla pods for the removal of Cr(VI) in aqueous medium

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Abstract

In this work, the effect of acid activation conditions on the textural, structural and adsorptive characteristics of phosphoric acid-activated carbon (AC) prepared from pentaclethra macrophylla pods (PMAC) was examined for the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution. The precursor and prepared AC were characterized by TGA, FTIR, SEM–EDX, and iodine and methylene blue indices. The TGA curves depicted the presence of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin confirming the lignocellulosic structure of the precursor. The iodine index (908.60, 911.14 and 955.31 mg/g) and methylene blue index (49.78, 106.36 and 204.12 mg/g) increased with increasing acid:solid ratios (1:1, 2:1 and 3:1) for PMAC1, PMAC2 and PMAC3, denoting increase in microporosity and mesoporosity, respectively. The experimental data were best explained by the Elovich kinetic model and Sips isotherm with maximum adsorption capacities of 438.71, 265.911 and 406.593 mg/g for PMAC1, PMAC2 and PMAC3, respectively. The calculated mean adsorption energies were less than 8 kJ/mol, indicating that the adsorption of Cr(VI) was a physisorption process. Activation ratio of 1:1 had the fastest adsorption rate and largest adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) and is recommended as the optimal synthesis condition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, PO Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon

    Tchatchouang Chimi, Nintedem M. Lincold, Mboumbouo B. Jacques, Sylvain Tome, Dzoujo T. Hermann & Gerard Pierre Tchieta

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Higher Technical Teachers’ Training College, University of Douala, PO Box 1872, Douala, Cameroon

    Boresse U. Hannah & Achille Nouga Bissoue

  3. Department of Physical Sciences, Kaimosi Friends University, P.O. Box 385-50309, Kaimosi, Kenya

    Victor O. Shikuku

  4. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, PO Box, 2701, Douala, Cameroon

    François Eya’ane Meva

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  1. Tchatchouang Chimi
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Contributions

Tchatchouang and Boresse collected the plant material and carried out the experimental work, Tchatchouang drafted the manuscript, Dzoujo assisted in data analysis, Tome and Victor realized and contributed in interpreting the structural and adsorption data, Achille Nouga provided access to his laboratory for batch adsorption experiments, Pierre Gerard and François Eya’ane designed and supervised the project. All authors read an approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Gerard Pierre Tchieta.

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Chimi, T., Hannah, B.U., Lincold, N.M. et al. Preparation, characterization and application of H3PO4-activated carbon from Pentaclethra macrophylla pods for the removal of Cr(VI) in aqueous medium. J IRAN CHEM SOC 20, 399–413 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13738-022-02675-9

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