Abstract

Kavita S. Mundhe*, Anjali D. Ruikar, Nirmala R. Deshpande and Rajashree V. Kashalkar

ABSTRACT

In order to prepare low cost carbons with desired properties various industrial and agro waste materials have been used as precursors. The adsorption of pollutants from an aqueous solution is frequently used to test the adsorption capability of various adsorbents. By changing the preparation and activation conditions, surface structure and pore size distribution can be modified. Physical and chemical activation involves treatment of precursor to produce carbon of desired properties. Chemical treatment modifies the surface structure and increases the adsorption capacity. Adsorbents have been prepared from seeds of Polyalthia longifolia by various treatments. Adsorption on biosorbents is due to the various functional groups present on the surface. These generally consist of carbonyl, amine, hydroxyl groups which can be analyzed qualitatively using FTIR and SEM techniques and quantitatively by Bohems titration. The proximate analysis gives information regarding properties such as ash content, pH and bulk density. The effect of lignocellulosic structures on their carbons is also observed. Use of such newer materials will result in carbons having diverse structures and thereby adsorption capacities. The peaks in the FT-IR of adsorbents, strongly supports the presence of surface groups obtained by Boehm’s titration. It is observed that there are significant changes in the band intensities of these adsorbents. Association of peak at 1371 cm -1 and many weak peaks had disappeared in SATM, indicating that the weak bonds disappeared under chemical treatment.