Adsorption and desorption kinetics of benzene derivatives on mesoporous carbons

Adsorption and desorption of benzoic and salicylic acids and phenol from a series of synthesized mesoporous carbons is measured and analyzed. Equilibrium adsorption isotherms are best described by the Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm. Intraparticle diffusion and McKay’s pore diffusion models, as well as mixed 1,2-order (MOE), integrated Langmuir kinetic equation (IKL), Langmuir–Freundlich kinetic equation and recently derived fractal-like MOE (f-MOE) and IKL models were compared and used to analyze adsorption kinetic data. New generalization of Langmuir kinetics (gIKL), MOE and f-MOE were used to describe desorption kinetics. Analysis of adsorption and desorption half-times shows simple relation to the size of carbon pores.