Adsorption of acetone on HNO3-treated AG-3 cctivated carbon: Performance and kinetic study

Title : Adsorption of acetone on HNO3-treated AG-3 cctivated carbon: Performance and kinetic study

Abstract:

The study focuses on enhancing the adsorption of acetone, a prevalent oxygenated volatile organic compound (VOC), using HNO3-modified AG-3 activated carbon (AC) to mitigate its environmental and health impacts. It aims to optimize HNO3 modification of AG-3 AC, targeting enhanced acetone adsorption capacity and improved kinetics. In this work, commercial AG-3 was treated with 2 M, 4, M and 6 M HNO3 solutions through reflux heating at 100 °C, followed by washing and drying. Adsorption experiments were conducted using gravimetric analysis at 25 °C and 1 atm, with kinetic data fitted to pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and Morris-Weber models. The modified ACs were evaluated for their specific adsorption capacities and time-dependent adsorption behaviors. Results showed that HNO3 treatment enhanced acetone adsorption, with the 2 M HNO3-treated AC (HAC-2) exhibited the highest capacity of 0.2951 g/g, a 15 % improvement over unmodified AG-3 (0.2570). Kinetic studies revealed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the adsorption process, indicating chemisorption as the primary mechanism. As concentration of HNO3 increased (4 M and 6 M), it led to reduced adsorption capacity compared to HAC-2, suggesting excessive oxidation may damage the carbon structure. The study concludes that the optimal HNO3 concentration for enhancing acetone adsorption on G-3 AC lies around 2 M. This approach highlights the potential of HNO3-modified AG-3 as an effective adsorbent for acetone remediation in adsorption application

Biography:

Tewelde Sahle Tkabo is a PhD student in Physical and Colloid Chemistry at the People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University). He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry and Master’s degree in Organic Chemistry from the Eritrea Institute of Technology, Asmara, Eritrea. His research focuses on modifying activated carbons to enhance their adsorption capacity for organic solvent vapors commonly released from laboratories and industrial processes. The goal of his work is to develop efficient adsorbent materials that mitigate the environmental and health impacts of volatile organic compounds. He has published two research papers on this topic and has presented his findings at four international conferences in the Russian Federation.