www.ijera.com 943 | P a g e Investigation of Aniline Adsorption onto Spherical Carbon: Optimization Using Response Surface Methodology

In the present study, spherical carbon was used to optimize the removal efficiency for aniline by using Response Surface Methodological approach. The carbon sample was obtained by the commercial activated spherical carbon and treated with phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide. The surface structure of spherical carbon was analysed by Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis. The effect of four parameters, that is, pH of the solution (2-11), initial aniline concentration (10-70 mg/L), temperature (25-55°C) and adsorbent dose (0.02-0.3 g/100 mL) was optimized for the removal of aniline. A Box-Behnken experimental design was employed for the optimization of adsorption of aniline on spherical carbon to ensure high adsorption efficiency in a low adsorbent dose and high initial aniline concentration. The analysis of variance showed a high coefficient of determination value (R2 = 0.9749) and satisfactory prediction second-order model was derived. Maximum aniline removal efficiency was predicted and experimentally validated