Adsorption of chromium (VI) from aqueous solutions on activated carbon

The adsorption isotherm of chromium (VI) on activated carbon was obtained in a batch adsorber. The experimental adsorption data were fitted reasonably well to the Freundlich isotherm. The effect of pH on the adsorption isotherm was investigated at pH values of 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 12. It was found that at pH < 6, Cr(VI) was adsorbed and reduced to Cr(III) by the catalytic action of the carbon and that at pH ≥ 12, Cr(VI) was not adsorbed on activated carbon. Maximum adsorption capacity was observed at pH 6 and the adsorption capacity was diminished about 17 times by increasing the pH from 6 to 10. The pH effect was attributed to the different complexes that Cr(VI) can form in aqueous solution. The adsorption isotherm was also affected by the temperature since the adsorption capacity was increased by raising the temperature from 25 to 40°C. It was concluded that Cr(VI) was adsorbed significantly on activated carbon at pH 6 and that the adsorption capacity was greatly dependent upon pH.