Phenanthrene Removal from Aqueous Solution on Sesame Stalk-based Carbon

This work explored the performance of sesame stalk-based carbon prepared at different carbonization temperatures and activated by potassium hydroxide in the removal of phenanthrene from an aqueous solution. At a carbon concentration of 10?mg/32?mL and a carbonization temperature of 700 degrees C, the removal efficiency of phenanthrene approached 100%. Furthermore, with the presence of acenaphthene and naphthalene as co-contaminants, the removal efficiency of phenanthrene by the prepared carbon was 99.60%, which was comparable to that by the commercial carbon. Hydrophobic interactions influenced phenanthrene removal, and partitioning appeared to be the dominant mechanism for phenanthrene removal from aqueous solution by sesame stalk-based carbon. The results obtained from this work should provide insight into the reuse of agricultural residues, and also suggest a new avenue for the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from contaminated water utilizing carbon prepared from agricultural residue.