Physicochemical characteristics of carbonaceous adsorbent for dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl adsorption

It has been known that dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) are present in almost all types of environments worldwide. Activated carbon treatment has been expected for the removal of DL-PCBs because it is a simple and low-cost removal technology. In the present study, the physicochemical properties of activated carbon were investigated to identify the characteristics of 16 different types of activated carbon on adsorption properties for DL-PCBs. To accomplish this, micropore volume, and pore diameter were calculated by t-plot analysis and the mesopore volume was analyzed by the Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) method. In addition, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, pH, metal elements, and surface acid functional groups were analyzed. Then, adsorption experiments using DL-PCB in hexane solution were conducted, and the relationship between adsorption and physicochemical properties of activated carbon was investigated. The results showed that activated carbons having a surface area of 700–1200 m2 g−1 and micropores with diameters of about 0.7–0.8 nm exhibited high activity for the adsorption of PCBs. The results also clearly showed that the mesopore volume of activated carbon influenced the adsorption rate and the equilibrium adsorption.

► Pore characteristics of activated carbons and adsorption properties for PCBs.
► Surface area in the range of 700–1200 m2 g−1 showed high adsorption activity.
► Micropores with diameters of about 0.7–0.8 nm showed high adsorption activity.
► Adsorption activity increased with an increase in the mesopore volume.