Preparation and characterization of activated carbon–nFe3O4, activated carbon–nSiO2 and activated carbon–nZnO hybrid materials

Abstract

The preparation and physicochemical characterization of activated carbon, nano metal oxides, and activated carbon – nFe3O4, activated carbon – nSiO2 and activated carbon – nZnO hybrid materials has been under-taken. The materials have been characterized by scan-ning and transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, CNH analysis and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy. Surface area and porosity, ash content, pH, and point of zero charge were also measured. The results showed that the surfaces of activated carbon, nSiO2, activated carbon – nFe3O4, activated carbon – nSiO2 and activated carbon – nZnO are suitable for the sorption of cationic complexes while the surfaces of nFe3O4 and nZnO are favourable to the sorption of anionic complexes of heavy metals. Results also showed that the composition of the activated carbon and nano metal oxides increased the surface and micropore areas of nano metal oxides due to the large number of micro-pores and crevices on the surface of the hybrid materials.