The effect of surface modification of mesoporous carbons on Auramine-O dye removal from water

Mesoporous carbon of regular structure was subjected to oxidation by ammonium persulfate at 30, 60 or 100 °C. The mesostructure and pore evolution were characterised by XRD, TEM, and N₂ sorption techniques. The functional groups present on the surface of the carbon materials were identified by FTIR and thermogravimetric studies. It was established that the micropores and small mesopores could be blocked by the surface oxides attached under mild oxidation. High densities of surface oxygen complexes, especially carboxylic groups, were generated on the surface of mesoporous carbons. All materials obtained were tested for the removal of Auramine-O from aqueous solution. Adsorption experiments were carried out as batch studies at different contact time, pH and initial dye concentration. Removal of this cationic dye in basic solutions was more effective than in acidic solutions. The highest sorption capacity towards Auramine-O was obtained for the carbon sample oxidised by ammonium persulfate solution at 100 °C. Fitting equilibrium data to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms showed that Langmuir model was more suitable to describe the Auramine-O adsorption. The changes in standard enthalpy (ΔH⁰), standard entropy (ΔS⁰) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG⁰) were analysed. Thermodynamic study showed that the adsorption of Auramine-O was a spontaneous and exothermic process.