Adsorption Isotherm, Kinetics and Thermodynamics studies on Chloroquine sequestration using coconut shell activated carbon

Abstract

In recent times industrialization has increased tremendously and its activities has increased contaminants in the water environment. These contaminants can impede the sustainable development of society, endanger ecosystem stability, and human existence. Adsorption, an established efficient method of treatment, has the challenge of developing a low-cost adsorbent with desirable ideal operational settings for maximum adsorbate removal. This study investigated the adsorptive capacity of coconut shell activated carbon (CSAC) in removing chloroquine from its aqueous solution. The process of preparation and production CSAC was via carbonization and wet acid activation. This was in turn characterized using BET, proximate analysis SEM and FTIR. In a batch operation process. The effects of contact time, temperature, solution pH, adsorbent dosage and initial adsorbate concentration were analyzed. The data were further analyzed by studying the isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamics of this process. Langmuir isotherm model best interprets the process with monolayer adsorption capacity of 48.7 mg/g at room temperature. The pseudo second order kinetics best fits the process which is described as endothermic in nature, feasible and spontaneous from the thermodynamic analysis. This study revealed the efficient and eco-friendly capacity of CSAC in chloroquine adsorption in an aqueous solution