Abstract
Waste tire rubber derived activated carbon–alumina composites (ACALs) and tire rubber alumina composite (TRAL) were used as efficient adsorbent for the rapid removal of As(III) and As(V). The developed adsorbents i.e. activated carbon–alumina composites were synthesized through a two-step pyrolytic technique at 700°C in the presence of N2 gas along with steam. Ratio metric preparation of the activated carbon–alumina composites was carried out using activated carbon and aluminum hydroxide in 1:1 ratio by weight i.e. activated carbon–alumina composites (ACAL) 11, and 1:2 ratio by weight i.e. activated carbon–alumina composites (ACAL) 12 and 2:1 ratio by weight i.e. activated carbon–alumina composites (ACAL) 21. It was observed that an activated carbon–alumina composite (ACAL) 11 has greater BET surface area and arsenic adsorptive capacity as compared to other developed adsorbent. The adsorbents activated carbon–alumina composites (ACAL) 11 and tire rubber alumina composite (TRAL) were subjected to adsorption of As(III) and As(V) ions from aqueous solution and the impact of influential parameters such as pH, adsorbent dose, contact time and initial adsorbate concentration was well investigated and optimized. The developed adsorbents showed higher adsorption capacity for As(V) in comparison with that of As(III).
Pictorial presentation and surface morphology of ACAL11 before and after adsorption of As(III) and As(V). [Display omitted]
•ACAL11 and TRAL were used as adsorbent for removal of As(III) and As(V).•The optimized contact time for As(V) and As(III) was 15min and 1h respectively.•The optimized pH for As(V) and As(III) was 3 and 9 respectively.•The adsorption process for As(V) and As(III) is spontaneous (ΔG=-VE)•Qmax of ACAL11 for As(V) and As(III) is 23.8mgg−1 and 14.28mgg−1 respectively.