Adsorption capacity of hydrophobic SiO(2) aerogel/activated carbon composite materials for TNT

The adsorption properties of TNT from wastewater by hydrophobic silica aerogel/activated carbon composite materials were investigated. The effects of adsorption time, pH value, adsorption temperature, and the amount of the composite materials on the adsorption rate were studied. The adsorption principle and mechanism of the composite materials were discussed along with the Freundlich equation. The results showed that the best adsorption rate of the hydrophobic silica aerogel/activated carbon composite materials could reach 96.5% with adsorption conditions of adsorption temperature 25 degree C, pH value 7, the amount of SiO(2) aerogel dosage 3.33 g/L, and adsorption time of 120 min. The adsorption of hydrophobic SiO(2) aerogel/activated carbon composite materials for TNT solution is mainly surface adsorption, and also has some chemical adsorption when the aerogel hydrophobicity is modified.