Diatomite / carbon adsorbent for phenol removal

The studied hybrid material, based on diatomite and active carbon (KAC), is suitable for adsorption of phenol. The nature of the initial components (diatomite K and active carbon AC) exerts strong influence on the hybrid adsorbent texture. The pore size distribution curve indicates that the sample is mesoporous with comparatively non-uniform pore size distribution within the interval Rp > 3.8 nm. Batch adsorption studies are carried out to evaluate the effects of solution pH and initial phenol concentration on the adsorption capacity and the adsorbent is characterized by XRD, BET and FTIR. The optimum sorption condition refers to pH 5.0, 0.1 g hybrid adsorbent dosage and 30 min adsorption time. Langmuir– Freundlich’s isotherm model provides the best description of phenol adsorption data. The hybrid material investigated is found a very efficient adsorbent of phenol molecules from wastewater.