Effect of Coexisting Aromatic Compound for Cd(II) Adsorption onto Activated Carbon Fiber

Abstract

In this study, the effect of coexisting aromatic compound such as pyridine, aniline, indole, benzonitrile, phenol and benzoic acid on the Cd(II) adsorption onto activated carbon fibers (ACFs) was examined to identify which functional groups were effective for the adsorption. The results showed that the coexisting benzoic acid and pyridine were effective and increased the amount of Cd(II) adsorption at the pH of around 7 in the solution. On the other hand, the coexisting indole, aniline, phenol and benzonitrile caused the decrease in the amount of adsorbed Cd(II).These results suggest that carboxyl group (benzoic acid) and pyridine-N (pyridine) are more effective than pyrrole-N (indole), amino group (aniline), phenolic hydroxyl (phenol) and cyano group (benzonitrile) for the removal of Cd(II).