Glyphosate adsorption by Eucalyptus camaldulensis bark-mediated char and optimization through response surface modeling

Abstract

Abstract In this study, orthophosphoric acid-modified activated char was prepared from Eucalyptus camaldulensis bark (EBAC), and used for removing traces of [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] (glyphosate) herbicide from aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity was characterized by zero-point-charge pH, surface analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Batch mode experiments were conducted to observe the effects of selected variables, namely dose, contact time, pH, temperature, and initial concentration, on adsorption capacity. Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models were generated to describe the mechanisms involved in the multilayer adsorption process. The results show that high temperature enhanced the adsorption capacity of EBAC, with a temperature of 373 K yielding adsorption capacity (qmax) and Freundlich parameter (KF) of 66.76 mg g−1 and 9.64 (mg g−1) (L mg−1)−n, respectively. The thermodynamics study revealed entropy and enthalpy of −5281.3 J mol−1 and −20.416 J mol−1, respectively. Finally, glyphosate adsorption was optimized by the Box–Behnken model, and optimal conditions were recorded as initial concentration of 20.28 mg L−1, pH 10.18, adsorbent dose of 199.92 mg/50 mL, temperature of 303.23 K, and contact time of 78.42 min, with removal efficiency of 98%. Therefore, it can be suggested that EBAC could be used as an efficient, low-cost adsorbent for removal of glyphosate from aqueous solutions.