Adsorption of Phenol using Cellulose and Hydrochar: Kinetic, Isotherm, and Regeneration Studies

In this study, hydrocarbons were obtained through the hydrothermal carbonization synthesis method. The XRD data of the cellulose sample revealed 2θ angles of 15.46°, 22.34°, and 34.36°, indicating that the cellulose sample under investigation had an amorphous structure. The XRD data of the hydrocarbon sample showed a 2θ angle of 25.72°, indicating the presence of graphitic carbon. The FTIR spectra of both cellulose and hydrocarbon exhibited similarities at wave numbers 3394 cm-1, 2893 cm-1, 1662 cm-1, 1000-1200 cm-1, and 847 cm-1. BET analysis revealed that the hydrocarbon material surface area measured was 7.366 m²/g, measured pore volume for the entire sample was 0.008 cc/g, and the average size of the pores was 3.189 nm. The optimal pH variation for cellulose was at pH 10, with an adsorption capacity of 10.75 mg/g, on the other hand, was tested at pH 6 and demonstrated an adsorption capacity of 12.74 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics model for both adsorbents was PSO, and the adsorption isotherm model was Freundlich. Cellulose exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 35.336 mg/g, while hydrochar demonstrated a maximum adsorption capacity of 21.008 mg/g. It is noteworthy that both adsorbents were capable of being reused for up to five cycles.