Impact of pH on the adsorption and desorption kinetics of 2-nitrophenol on activated carbons

The adsorption and desorption kinetics of 2-nitrophenol (2NP) from aqueous solutions using F-400 and WV-B granular activated carbons (GAC) have been studied at pHs 1, 4.6 and 13, using batch tests. Adsorption and desorption kinetics of 2NP on to both carbons were adequately described by the homogeneous solid surface diffusion model (HSSD). The adsorption and desorption kinetics can be predicted at different pHs by using adsorption kinetics parameters of the pH 4.6 and the isotherm parameters for the corresponding pH. Thus, the differences in the rates of adsorption are primarily attributable to the differences in the equilibrium loadings at the various pHs.