Iodine adsorption characteristics of activated carbon obtained from Spinacia Oleracea (spinach) leaves

Abstract

Spinach leaves powder was modified by activation with conc. H₂SO₄ and was characterized by using FTIR, optical microscopy, XRD analysis and methylene blue adsorption method. The maximum specific surface area measured by the Methylene blue adsorption method was 499 m²/g. The adsorption of iodine was investigated by varying parameters as pH, adsorbent dose, contact time and I₂ concentration. The adsorption process was fitted to the Langmuir model controlled by pseudo - second –  order kinetics with a constant rate value of 0.00305 g/(mg·min). The maximum adsorption was at pH 10. The maximum adsorption capacity was 909.091 mg/g. The ∆G value was -25 kJ/mole, which confirmed the physico - chemcal adsorption process.