Study of the mechanism of nitrophenols sorption on expanded perlite ‒ equilibrium and kinetics modelling
The adsorption behavior of 2-nitrophenol (2-NP) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) on expanded perlite (EP) at equilibrium and kinetic conditions was investigated. The experimental equilibrium data were interpreted by Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson, Temkin and the multilayer isotherm models. Both the Temkin and the multilayer models gave the most satisfactory representation of the experimental data for 2-NP sorption on EP covering the whole concentration range, presuming high initial sorption rate, presence of adsorbent-adsorbate chemical interactions and multilayer adsorption, as the basic characteristics featuring the equilibrium behavior of the system studied. The experimental kinetic results were analyzed by the pseudo-first, pseudo-second order models, Bangham’s model, intra-particle diffusion model, and Elovich kinetic equation. The values of the calculated rate, mass transfer parameters and correlation coefficients proved that chemisorptions/intraparticle diffusion could be outlined as the basic rate controlling mechanisms during 2-NP/2,4-DNP sorption on expanded perlite. Uptake of nitrophenols increased in the order 2-NP < 2,4-DNP.