Phenol Adsorption onto Various Soil Composite Membranes: Insight into Process Kinetics, Modelling and Optimisation Using Response Surface Methodology

The present study investigates the potential of soil and soil composites for removal of phenol from solution on a comparative scale. Different experimental parameters were optimized with a novel approach of response surface methodology (RSM) and a central composite design (CCD) for achieving maximum efficiency. Maximum adsorption efficiency (1.44 mg g-1) was obtained at initial pH 5.5, an adsorbent dosage of 7.5 g L-1 and a treatment time of 32.5 mins at a temperature of 313 K as predicted by the RSM design. The phenomenon best fitted the Temkin isotherm at different temperatures. The process was guided by the pseudo-secondorder kinetic model and was analyzed to be spontaneous, endothermic and chemisorption in nature. Characterization of soil particles using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy showed the changes in its structure and surface morphology both before and after use and explained it’s prospective as a good and environmentally benign adsorbent in very low quantities. Hence, this adsorbent can be implemented as an efficient liner material for the removal of phenol and phenolic compounds from wastewater.