Adsorption of Pesticides on Activated Carbons from Peach Stones

Abstract

This study analyzes the adsorption of two model pesticides, namely, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and carbofuran on activated carbons obtained by chemical activation with phosphoric acid of peach stones. The effect of the synthesis conditions on the surface area development was analyzed. The highest surface area was obtained with an impregnation time of 5 h, an impregnation ratio equal to 3.5, an activation temperature of 400 °C, and 4.5 h of activation time. Under these conditions, the maximum specific surface area was equal to 1182 m2·g−1 which confirms the high porosity of the activated carbon, predominantly in the form of micropores. The surface chemistry of this activated carbon was also characterized using pH at point of zero charge, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Both kinetics and equilibrium adsorption tests were performed. Adsorption kinetics confirmed that 2,4-D adsorption follows a pseudo first-order adsorption kinetic model, while carbofuran adsorption is better described by a pseudo second-order one. Regarding the equilibrium adsorption, a higher adsorption capacity is obtained for 2,4-D than carbofuran (c.a. 500 and 250 mg·g−1, respectively). The analysis of the thermodynamics and characterization after use suggest a predominantly physisorption nature of the process.