MODIFICATION OF COCONUT SHELL ACTIVATED CARBON WITH AN AZO LIGAND (DDPTP) FOR ENHANCED REMOVAL OF PB²⁺ FROM CONTAMINATED WATER
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1002-4659Keywords:
Coconut Shell, Activated Carbon, Azo Ligand, Pb2+, Contaminated WaterAbstract
The modification of coconut (Cocos nucicera L.) shell activated carbon using an Azo ligand, specifically 1,2–dihydro-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-4-(E)–(2,3,4-trihydrophenyl)-3H-pyrazol-3-one (DDPTP), and its efficacy in removing Pb2+ from contaminated water samples was investigated. Proximate analysis revealed moisture content (8.7%), volatile matter (10.4%), ash (3.2%), and fixed carbon (77.7%). The modified adsorbent showed bulk density of 0.46 g/cm³, pore volume of 8.0 × 10⁻³ cm³, and conductivity of 37.9 µS/cm. FTIR confirmed hydroxyl, carbonyl, amino, and azo functional groups. SEM revealed micro-pores, and EDX showed carbon as the predominant element (57%). The modified activated carbon achieved 98% Pb²⁺ removal, significantly higher than unmodified carbon (79%). Adsorption increased with initial concentration, contact time, carbonization temperature, and pH up to optimal levels, but decreased with larger particle sizes. Optimal ligand loading was 30 mg per 5 g adsorbent. Adsorption data fitted Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms, with kinetics following pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion models. In light of these results, it can be concluded that modified coconut shell activated carbon is an effective adsorbent, and its adsorption capacity could be further enhanced by incorporating an azo ligand in the appropriate proportions, potentially utilizing an adsorbent to ligand ratio of (5g:25mg).
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ezekiel Izudike Odimgbe, Poro David Clark, Olubunmi Abiola Adewusi, Mary Emmanuel Akpanuko, Stanley Ejohwomu Apuyor, Godpower Chukwuemeka Onwugbuta, Sampson Chikwe Ikechukwu, Obruche Kennedy Erienu
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