Application of different equations to adsorption isotherms of phenolic compounds on activated carbons prepared from cork

Activated carbons were prepared from solid cork wastes by physical activation with carbon dioxide or steam, and chemical activation by impregnation with phosphoric acid. In this work we show the possibility of using these activated carbons for the adsorption of phenolic compounds from the aqueous phase. The materials present a different response to the adsorptives used (p-nitrophenol, p-chlorophenol, p-cresol and phenol), depending on the type of activation and the parameters (burn-off, absolute concentration) used in each case. All the samples were capable of retaining the contaminants, with the best result being reached by the sample with higher burnoff and the worst with the carbonised, while intermediate values were reached with the remaining samples. The experimental isotherms were analysed with two and three parameters equations (Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubinin–Radushkevich–Kaganer and Redlich–Peterson). The results obtained from the application of the equations are similar in some aspects, but the degree of confidence is quite different. The best fit was achieved with the Redlich–Peterson equation, which can be explained by the fact that this has three adjustable parameters. However, overall the Freundlich and DRK equations appear to be more useful and provide parameters which can be correlated with the structural characteristics of the solids obtained from N2 adsorption measurements