Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences, 4(3): 293-298, 2010 ISSN 1995-0748 This is a refereed journal and all articles are professionally screened and reviewed ORIGINAL ARTICLE 293 Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Solution by Activated Carbon Prepared from Some Agricultural Materials Adegoke H.I and Adekola F.A Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria Adegoke H.I and Adekola F.A: Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Solution by Activated Carbon Prepared from Some Agricultural Materials ABSTRACT Activated carbon were prepared from coconut shell; coconut coirpith, rice husk, shear butter wood and shear butter bark using IM Ferric chloride, IM Trioxonitrate (v) acid, IM Orthophosphoric acid and IM Potassium carbonate as the chemical activating reagents. The activated carbons were characterized using micropore volume, bulk density, moisture content and pH. The activated carbons prepared were used for the removal of phenol from aqueous solution. The results obtained indicated that the Hydrochloric acid purified carbon produced from shear butter bark are better adsorbent for phenol than those prepared from coconut shell. The adsorption data fit well with Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption capacity calculated from the Langmuir isotherm was in the range of 0.0052 and 0.1084 mg/g at 28 + 2 o C, pH 8.0 and for particle size 0.08 – 0.5mm. Key words: Activated carbons, phenol, Langmuir adsorption isotherm Introduction Pollution deals with the modification of the natural physical and chemical environment of the earth of human activity. Its study encompasses the source, distribution and effect of pollutants caused by chemical substances introduced into the environment in location and at level not observed in the absence of human intervention Fairbridge (1968). Various treatment strategies are applied to the removal of toxic organic pollutants from water. The traditional technology based on adsorption, frequently involving the use of activated carbon is easily applicable to the removal of contaminants from water. Activated carbon is a non-selective adsorbent which removes almost all the natural organic matter present in waters and results in rapid decrease in its capacity to accumulate toxic organics. (Ilisz et al., 2002; Milter et al., 1989). Activated carbon is defined as a wide range of amorphous carbon based materials prepared to exhibit a high degree of porosity and an extended interparticulate surface area (Bansal et al., 1988). These qualities impart activated carbon with excellent adsorbent characteristics and it is defined more or less by its properties rather than its sources. It can be produced from a wide variety of carbon-rich raw materials of animal, mineral or agricultural wastes origins (Austin, 1987; Nelson, 1958). These include wood, peat, coal, bones, coconut shells and fruit stones. Activated carbon prepared from coconut coirpith was found effective for the treatment of wastewater and also for the removal of As, Cu, Hg, Ni and organics from aqueous solution Namasivayam and K. Kardirverlu (1998). Activated carbons prepared from rice husk and coconut husk, sawdust have been used for the treatment of wastewater (Raji et al., 1997; Manju and Anirhudhan, 1997). Typical sources of phenol into surface water are the waste from industries involved in chemical manufacturing gas, coke, and coal tar making Horne, (1978). Phenols are corrosive to the skin and eyes and are readily absorbed through the skin in toxic amount. Continuous daily skin exposure to phenol has been known to cause acute form of dermatitis in human beings. Corresponding Author: Adegoke H.I, Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, P.M.B. 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria E- mail: ihalimat@yahoo.com