Development of Activated Carbon and NaOH Modification for the Removal of Nickel Metal Ions from Oil Spilled Environment in the Niger Delta Region

Abstract

The present study deals with the adsorptive removal of nickel ions from liquid phase
hydrocarbons by unmodified and NaOH modified activated carbon developed from
coconut shell. The activated carbon was characterized using Fourier-Transform Infra
Red spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effect of
contact time and metal ion concentration on the adsorption of nickel onto unmodified
and modified activated coconut shell was investigated. The initial metals ion
concentration ranged from 20mg/L to 150mg/L and the maximum removal was
observed at metal-ions concentration 150 mg/L. The Ni (II) ion removal efficiency was
97.76% and 96.76% for modified and unmodified activated carbon respectively.
Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used for equilibrium adsorption data.
Langmuir isotherm proved to be a better fit. The linear and non-linear model for Pseudo
first order and pseudo second order kinetic models were applied to analyze the kinetic
mechanism of adsorption. Pseudo second order gains the dominance of chemisorption
mechanism.