Study of Cr(VI) adsorption onto nitrogen-enriched activated carbon from waste medium density fiberboard

Nitrogen-enriched activated carbons were prepared from waste medium density fiberboard waste by using NaOH, K₂CO₃ and KOH. The content of nitrogen in the activated carbon was 0.92, 0.74 and 1.33 % by analysis. The influence of contact time, pH, Cr(VI) initial concentration and the amount of activated carbon on the Cr(VI) adsorption capacity were investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) could reach 89.21 mg/g at pH 2 and a contact time of 9 h. The kinetics adsorption followed nicely the pseudo-second-order rate expression. In adsorption isotherm, the Langmuir model fitted better than the Freundlich model. Pure Poplar activated carbon was also prepared as the adsorbent for Cr(VI) removal as control sample. This study indicated that the nitrogen-enriched activated carbon prepared from waste medium density fiberboard can be used effectively for the removal of Cr(VI) compound from aqueous solutions.