Adsorption mechanism and modelling of hydrocarbon contaminants onto rice straw activated carbons

Abstract The adsorption of Diphenolic acid (DPA), 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) were examined in aqueous solution using activated carbon rice straw. The rice straw was activated by using two reagents, zinc chloride and phosphoric acid and named as RSZ, RSP, respectively. The results showed that both carbons have a relatively high adsorption capacity. Concerning the adsorption kinetic, the second-order model has better fit than the first model to experimental data. The adsorption yield of both carbons increased in the order: DPA < 2,4-D < MCPA. The pore volume diffusion model satisfactorily fitted the experiment on both carbons. Furthermore, solution pH has a high influence on the adsorption capacity for both carbons. The adsorption mechanism of selected pollutants onto carbon samples has been controlled by dispersion interaction π-π electrons and electrostatic interaction, moreover, the contribution of pore volume diffusion is the controlling mechanism of the overall rate of adsorption.