Influence of differences in porous structure within granules of activated carbon on adsorption of aromatics from aqueous solutions Original Research Article

The adsorption of organics from aqueous solutions on the activated carbon samples obtained by gradual abrasion of granules is studied. The nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms are applied to determine the parameters of porous structure of investigated carbon samples. The adsorption isotherms of four organic substances: nitrobenzene, phenol, 4-nitrophenol, and 4-chlorophenol from dilute aqueous solutions are also measured. The influence of porous structure changes inside of a carbon particle on organic solute adsorption from aqueous solutions is analyzed and discussed. It was stated that the carbon porosity was a function of the distance from granule surface, however, the properties of carbon micropore and mesopore walls were preserved. The similarity of adsorption mechanisms over the whole carbon granule were found for liquid systems.