The Effectiveness of Carbonized Neem Leaves Adsorbent for the Removal of Phenol from Synthesized Effluent Using the Batch Process Method

Abstract

The adsorption of phenol in aqueous solution was investigated using carbonized neem leaves adsorbents. The effect of various factors such as contact time, phenol concentration, pH, temperature, and amount of adsorbent on the adsorption capacity of the adsorbents was determined. The results show that maximum adsorption was obtained at a contact time of 150 minutes, at a phenol concentration of 50 mg/L, optimum adsorption temperature of 45⁰C, pH of 2 and adsorbent dosage of 3 g/L. The equilibrium data was well described by the Freundlich isotherm equation (R2= 0.955 ). This shows a heterogenous adsorption process. The kinetics of the process were explained by the intra-particle diffusion models (R2>0.9). This fitted data indicates a degree of boundary layer control and is not limited to intra-particle diffusion.