Optimization of Preparation Conditions for Corn Cob Based Activated Carbons for the Removal of Remazol Brilliant Blue R dye Mohd

This study investigates the optimal conditions for preparation of corn cob based activated carbon (CCAC) for the removal of Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) reactive dye from aqueous solution. The CCAC was prepared by using physiochemical activation method which consisted of sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and CO2 gasification. Central composite design (CCD) was used to determine the effects of the three preparation variables; activation temperature, activation time and Na2CO3 impregnation ratio (IR) on RBBR percentage removal and CCAC yield. Based on the CCD a quadratic model and a two-factor interaction (2FI) model were respectively developed for RBBR percentage removal and CCAC yield. The significant factors on each experimental design response were identified from the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimum conditions for CCAC preparation were obtained by using activation temperature of 757.45°C, activation time of 3h and IR of 2.55 which resulted in 25.18% of RBBR removal and 79.04% of CCAC yield. Index Term – Activated carbon, Central composite design, Corn cob, Optimization, Remazol Brilliant Blue R.