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Preparation and Characterization of Activated Carbon from Euphorbia Tirucalli L Wood for the Removal of Textile Dyes from Waste Water

A. Agalya, P. N. Palanisamy and P. Sivakumar

In the present work, renewable lignocellulosic material Euphorbia Tirucalli L wood was used as a precursor for the production of activated carbon. The preparation includes both physical and chemical activation, which resulted in a porous structure and opening of pores on the surface of all activated carbon. Different activated carbons were prepared by pyrolysis, treatment using H2SO4, H3PO4, KOH and ZnCl2 solutions, respectively. The activated carbon was characterized by pH, ash content, volatile matter, porosity, conductivity, bulk density, specific gravity, iodine number and adsorption of methylene blue. From the physico-chemical characteristic studies, the activated carbon prepared by impregnating the precursor with 35% H3PO4 solution followed by carbonization and activation at 800oC was selected as better adsorbent due to its high surface area and high adsorption capacity. This carbon shows high adsorptive property for various dyes and could be used as a cost effective alternative novel adsorbent in waste water treatment for the removal of dyes.