Effect of Solution pH on the Removal of Paracetamol by Activated Carbon of Dende Coconut Mesocarp

R. C. Ferreira, O. M. Couto Junior, K. Q. Carvalho, P. A. Arroyo and M. A. S. D. Barros

Abstract
Activated carbon of dende coconut mesocarp was used to investigate the removal of paracetamol from water by adsorption. The results indicated that the retention of paracetamol was favored in activated carbon with neutral surface properties. The textural features and presence of a transport pores network contributed to ensuring the accessibility to the inner porosity, and the microporosity must be large enough to accommodate the paracetamol molecule. Chemisorption and mainly physisorption are important in the paracetamol removal. Pseudo-second order equation and Langmuir model were chosen to best present the experimental data. The adsorption process was non-spontaneous and endothermic with increase in system disorder.

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Keywords
paracetamol, adsorption, activated carbon, dende coconut