Sorption kinetics for phenol and nitro-substituted toxic phenols from aqueous solution using clay as sorbent material

This study examined the effectiveness of less-expensive sorbent clay in removing phenols from wastewater by sorption. Batch kinetic experiment showed that phenol and nitro-substituted phenols (o-, m- and p-) sorption on clay was rapid and equilibrium was achieved within 2 h. The kinetics of sorption was found to be of pseudo-second order reaction. The influences of various factors, such as particle size, pH, concentration and temperature on the sorption capacity have been studied. This study showed that clay could be used as an efficient sorbent material for the sorption of phenols from aqueous solution.

Keywords: sorption kinetics, pseudo-second order, nitro-substituted phenols, clay, toxic phenols, wastewater treatment, phenol removal