A comparison on the efficiency of raw activated carbon, oxidized, and sulfurized adsorbents for furfural adsorption

Abstract

This study measure the efficiency of raw activated, oxidized, and sulfurized adsorbents for furfural adsorption. Furfural is irritant to the respiratory tract and mucous membranes. The outcomes of the experiments show that oxidation treatment introduces more oxygen-carrying functionalities on the AC surface, having a larger volume of the pores and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area. The adsorption data fit well with the intra-particle diffusion model, pseudo-second order model, and Langmuir isotherm. Thereupon, both the surface functional groups and extended micro-porosity of modified carbons (OAC and SAC) result in an increased capacity of the sample for furfural adsorption compared to AC.

Keywords

• Oxidized
• Sulfur impregnation
• Furfural
• Kinetics
• Activated carbon
• Isotherm