Adsorption of phenol onto unactivated Moringa oleifera Seed Shells residue by UV -visible spectrophotometer

Abstract

Unactivated adsorbent was prepared from Moringa oleifera seed shells precursor, characterized and evaluated for aqueous phase removal of phenol. The effects of operational parameters such as initial phenolic solution pH and adsorbent dosage on equilibrium sorption were studied. Adsorption isotherms and kinetic experiments performed at (25 oC) furnished some equilibrium and kinetic parameters, respectively. UAMSS shows favorable attributes on (pH, bulk density, attrition, iodine number/surface area, surface charge/functional groups and Fourier transform infrared FTIR). Phenol uptake decreases with increase in solution pH for the adsorbent. Maximum adsorption capacity Qmax (mg/g) was (6.95). The optimal pH for phenol adsorption was attained at pH 3, adsorption kinetics obeyed closely pseudo-second-order model. Adsorption of phenol was well described by Langmuir isotherm. The adsorbent shows a promise of applicability in dephenolation of aqueous effluents/wastewater.