DEVELOPMENT OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM BAMBOO (Bambusa vulgaris) FOR PESTICIDE REMOVAL FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

DESENVOLVIMENTO DE CARVÃO ATIVADO A PARTIR DE BAMBU (Bambusa vulgaris) PARA REMOÇÃO DE PESTICIDAS DE SOLUÇÕES AQUOSAS

ABSTRACT

Considering the water scarcity problems facing many countries, the need for water reuse can make activated carbon (AC) an essential product for modern society. In this context, to contribute with better activated carbons that could be used to serve in water treatment, this article discusses these materials production, using bamboo as raw material, and analyses their application effectiveness. The bamboo was collected, transformed into activated carbon, by simultaneous chemical and physical activations, and named H₃PO₄/H₂OAC. The obtained material was characterized by its yield, apparent density, ash content, thermogravimetric analysis, surface area, methylene blue and iodine indexes, pH and point of zero charge analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Boehm titration method. The AC was used as adsorbent for removing the metribuzin, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and furadan pesticides. The H₃PO₄/H₂OAC had a surface area of 1196.30 m².g^-1 and the obtained adsorption capacity was elevated for furadan (868.98 mg.g^-1), metribuzin (756.47 mg.g^-1) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (274.70 mg.g^-1).

Keywords:
Forest products; adsorbent development; water treatment