Production and characterization of bamboo activated carbon using different chemical impregnations for heavy metals removal in surface water

Abstract

The level of heavy metals concentration in surface water is increasing due to human activities. In view of this, this study was aimed at producing and characterizing bamboo activated carbon with different chemical impregnation for the removal of heavy metals from surface water. Bamboo materials were obtained from Gidan Kwano forest in Minna, Niger State. The bamboo materials were crushed into 0.180 mm and carbonized at temperature 450 oC and activated using a chemical activation process. The Brunauer Emmet Teller (BET ) and Langmiur method were used to determine the surface area and pore volume. The results revealed that the interaction of bamboo activated carbon with sulphuric acid (H2SO4) had large area than nitric acid (HNO3). The surface area values under BET and Langmuir method for bamboo activated carbon with sulphuric acid were 825.456 and 4373.34 m2/g while that bamboo activated carbon with nitric acid were 650.359 and 4145.78 m2/g respectively. This study concluded impregnated bamboo activated with sulphuric acid (H2SO4) had large surface difference under BET and Langmuir method. Bamboo activated with sulphuric acid (H2SO4) was found to be the better for removing heavy metal in surface water because the percentage of heavy metal removal using were 65 % (Pb), 47 % (Al) and 37 % (Cu) whereas nutric acid removed 47% (Pb), 38 % (Al) and 32 % (Cu). The study suggests that bamboo activated carbon impregnated sulphuric acid (H2SO4) be produced in large scale to remove heavy metal in surface water for irrigation purposes.