Removal of heavy metals and surfactants using activated carbon from wood waste

Activated carbon prepared from wood waste was evaluated as a low cost adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals Copper (II) and Zinc (II), and surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate and 3-(N,N- imethylmyristylammonio)propane sulfonate). The effects of pH, initial ion concentration and temperature were studied. Adsorption studies were conducted using initial Copper (II) and Zinc (II) concentration between 5 to 35 mglL, pH range from 2 to 10 and temperature between 30-60 0c. The adsorption capacity for both metals was highest at pH range from 6 to 8. The equilibrium data were satisfactorily fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms with highest metal uptake of 14.8 and 16.31 mglg were observed for Copper (II) and Zinc (II) respectively at initial pH 6-8 and temperature of 30°C. Adsorption of surfactant was conducted with initial surfactant concentration between 200 to 800 mglL, and pH from 2 to 10. However, the adsorption data of surfactant was unsatisfactorily fitted both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Both isotherm models represent unfavorable adsorption