Preparation Of H3po4 Activated Carbon From Ziziphus Lotus (Z. Mauritiana) Leaves: Optimization Using Rsm And Cationic Dye Adsorption

An experimental study on the adsorption of Methylene Blue (MB) onto Ziziphus lotus(ZL) leaves-based raw and activated carbon (AC) is presented herein. The optimization of AC production conditions and adsorption process parameters were performed by Box-Behnken design. Parameters tested for AC production optimization are chemical impregnation ratio (1-3 w/w), activation temperature (200-800 degrees C), and holding time (30-120 min). While, the adsorption optimization parameters are pH (2-12), adsorbent dosage (10-100 mg), and contact time (10-80 min). The regression analysis showed a good fit of the experimental data to the second-order polynomial model. Optimal conditions of production of ZL AC were found to be a temperature of 413 degrees C, an impregnation ratio of 2.76 w/w and a contact time of 71.85 min. Those of MB adsorption on raw material and AC successively are: an adsorbent dosage of 769/392 mg/L, a pH of 10.4/11.9 and a contact time of 38.60/32.75 min.