Activated carbon from sawdust for naphthalene removal from contaminated water

Naphthalene, simplest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), is extensively liberated in aqueous systems through wastewaters of various industries. The present study proposes the removal of naphthalene from aqueous solutions inexpensively and efficiently using high quality activated carbon synthesized from waste material, sawdust. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller(BET) N2 surface area for sawdust activated carbon (SDAC) was over 1400 m2/g. The influence of contact time, dosage of prepared activated carbon, temperature, and pH for naphthalene adsorption has been investigated. Results were evaluated using Langmuir and Freundlich equations. Based on obtained isotherm parameters, Freundlich isotherm was found to be more favourable for naphthalene adsorption. Results revealed efficient adsorption of naphthalene with sawdust activated carbon under given conditions. Equilibrium time for the adsorption on SDAC was found to be 90 min. Samples were analysed using UV–Visible spectrophotometry. The study furnishes high quality, easily acquirable, and cheap adsorbent which is highly effective for the treatment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. •Naphthalene adsorption was achieved on high quality activated carbon, SDAC.•Mechanism of non-ionizable naphthalene with respect to pH has been discussed.•Pseudo-second order model also explains adsorption of naphthalene onto SDAC.•The applicability of Freundlich model for naphthalene adsorption was discussed.•The recycling of SDAC has been studied by efficiency of naphthalene desorption.