Study and Characterization of H3PO4 Activated Carbons Prepared from Jujube Stones for the Treatment of Industrial Textile Effluents

Abstract

Dyes are responsible for major environmental issues globally due to their toxicity, large-scale production, and extensive use in various industrial sectors. Pollution caused by hazardous dyes is mainly due to textile waste, which is constantly discharged into the aquatic system, often causing harm to humans and affecting water quality. In recent years, the removal of dyes from industrial textile wastewater has been a major challenge. Numerous technologies and methods have been developed to remove dyes from wastewater and meet clean water requirements. In this study, the effectiveness of activated carbon prepared by chemical activation of jujube stones for textile wastewater treatment was investigated. The effects of the concentration of H3PO4 and the carbonization temperature on the activated carbon’s properties were studied. Several physicochemical methods, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, methylene blue index, Boehm titration, iodine index and pH point of zero charge, were considered to characterize the produced adsorbents. To assess the quality of the two studied textile effluents (Mustard and Violet), the following parameters were used: biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, suspended particles and dissolved solids, before and after treatment with the produced activated carbon. Untreated wastewater analysis revealed high values for almost all parameters: pH > 9, COD of 302.72 mg/L and 230.68 mg/L for Mustard and Violet effluent, respectively. Both effluents from an industrial textile factory exhibited a COD/BOD ratio higher than three, which restricts their biodegradability. Examination of the effect of contact time and activated carbon dosage on the treatment of the two effluents showed that 4 g/L of activated carbon and 60 min of contact time were sufficient for optimal treatment, resulting in pollutant removal rates of 81.03 and 84.65% for the Violet and Mustard effluents, respectively. The results of this research highlight the efficiency of activated carbon derived from jujube stones as a cost-effective adsorbent for the treatment of real textile wastewater.