This study examined protein adsorption equilibrium
and kinetics on activated carbon (AC) that we obtained from coal by single-step
H3PO4 activation under N2+H2O vapor
at 800 °C. Surface properties, pore size distribution, and volumes of AC were
determined using volumetric method with N2 adsorption at 77 K. Also,
the textural properties were characterized by SEM-EDAX and XRD. The zeta
potential values were measured to elucidate the electrostatic interactions
between the protein and AC. The obtained AC discrete system was also used as an
adsorbent for adsorbing bovine serum albumin (BSA) from aqueous solution. The
effects of pH (4.0, 5.0, and 7.4) and temperatures (20, 30 and 40 °C) on the
adsorption of BSA on AC were examined. The surface area, micropore, mesopore
and total pore volumes of AC were found to be 1175 m2/g, 0.477 cm3/g, 0.061
cm3/g and 0.538 cm3/g, respectively. The optimum
temperature for AC in BSA adsorption was found to be 40 °C and the pH was found
to be 4.0. The highest BSA adsorption was found to be 159 mg/g and pH to be 4.0.
The experimental equilibrium data were compared with the Langmuir and
Freundlich models and found to be compatible with both models. The adsorption
process is best described by the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. As a result,
it was found out that AC obtained by single step H3PO4/N2+H2O
vapor activation is an effective adsorbent for the adsorption of BSA from
aqueous solution.
Subjects | Engineering, Chemical Engineering |
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Journal Section | Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | September 1, 2017 |
Submission Date | October 2, 2017 |
Acceptance Date | December 22, 2017 |
Published in Issue | Year 2018 Volume: 5 Issue: 1 |