Enhanced Cr(VI) Adsorption from Water by Reactivation Treatment of Apricot Shell Activated Carbon

Abstract The pore structure of apricot shell activated carbon was changed by reactivation treatment. The influence of reactivation treatment of activated carbon on the adsorption of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] from water was investigated under different conditions. The results show that the reactivation treatment enriches the pore structure of activated carbon and increases the pore size. When pH is under 4, the reactivation treatment of activated carbon does not cause a significant difference in the adsorption amount of Cr(VI) compared with untreated activated carbon. However, it is obviously contribute to Cr(VI) adsorption solution when pH is more than 4. In the same adsorption temperature, adsorption time, solution pH, and ratio of activated carbon to Cr(VI), reactivated activated carbon shows higher Cr(VI) adsorption capacity in aqueous solution than the untreated activated carbon, and maximum Cr(VI) removal rate of the reactivated activated carbon reaches 99.83%.