Activated Carbons from <i>Gambeya Albida</i> and <i>Telfairia Occidentalis</i> Seed Shells: Effect of Activating Agent on the Removal of Pb(II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions

Chem Sci Trans., 2015, 4(3), pp 768-780

DOI:10.7598/cst2015.1055

Research Article

Activated Carbons from Gambeya Albida and Telfairia Occidentalis Seed Shells: Effect of Activating Agent on the Removal of Pb(II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions

PAUL M. EJIKEME^1,4*, AMALACHUKWU I. OKOYE², MATHEW C. MENKITI^3,5 and OKECHUKWU D. ONUKWULI³

¹Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, 10001 Nsukka, Nigeria
²Department of Chemistry, Paul University Awka, Anambra State ?Nigeria
³Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
⁴Department of Chemistry, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002 South Africa
⁵Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Center, Texas Tech University, TX, USA

Abstract

Activated carbons were produced from Gambeya albida and Telfairia occidentalis seed shells by chemical activation and their properties were determined. The effects of different production conditions (activating agent, carbonization temperature and carbonization time) were studied and it was found that activation with H₃PO₄ gave carbons with better properties than activation with NH₄Cl. Also, bulk density and % yield of the adsorbents decreased while surface area, total pore volume, % weight loss and % ash content increased with increase in carbonization temperature from 300 to 600 ^oC and carbonization time from 60 to 180 minutes for both raw materials. The potential of removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution by selected activated carbon from both raw materials was also studied and it was found that the adsorption capacity was influenced by the contact time, initial Pb(II) concentration, solution pH, activated carbon particle size and dose as well adsorption temperature.