Modeling of adsorption isotherms of phenol and chlorophenols onto granular activated carbon

The adsorption equilibrium isotherms of five phenolic compounds, phenol, 2-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, from aqueous solutions onto granular activated carbon were studied and modeled. In order to determine the best-fit isotherm, the experimental equilibrium data were analyzed using thirteen adsorption isotherm models with more than two-parameter; nine three-parameter equations - the Redlich-Peterson, Sips, Langmuir-Freundlich, Fritz-Schlunder, Radke-Prasnitz (three models), Tóth, and Jossens isotherms - three four-parameter equation - the Weber-van Vliet, Fritz-Schlunder, and Baudu isotherms - and one five-parameter equation - the Fritz-Schlunder isotherm. The results reveal that the adsorption isotherm models fitted the experimental data in the order: Baudu (four-parameter) > Langmuir-Freundlich (three-parameter) > Sips (three-parameter) > Fritz-Schlunder (five-parameter) > Tóth (three-parameter) > Fritz-Schlunder (four-parameter) > Redlich-Peterson (three-parameter). The influence of solution pH on the adsorption isotherms of 4-CP was investigated. It was shown that the solution pH has not an effect on the adsorption isotherms for pH < pKa. The pH at which the uptake decreased was found to be dependent on the adsorptive pKa and the pHPZC.