Effect of activation condition of biochar on p-nitrophenol adsorption performance

Biochar has been used as precursor for activated carbon, using zinc chloride as
activating agent. The presence of phenol and phenolic compounds even at low
concentration in water and wastewater has been one of the biggest public concern
and they are considered to be one of the most frequent contaminants at hazardouswaste
sites. Its usage is for removal of p-nitrophenol (PNP). The results of this study
show it is feasible to prepare activated carbons with relatively high adsorption
perfonnance from biochar by direct chemical activation. From the study it can be
seen that biochar that is mixed with 1M concentration of ZnC]z and activated at
500°C with weight ratio ofbiochar and ZnC]z 1 :3having the best activation condition
as it gives the best adsorption performance by having the highest adsorption capacity
which is 703.5\mg/g.ln this project it is found that adsorption of PNP follows both
Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm model with a regression constant almost 0.90.