Thesis (MSc) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Chemistry Department

Includes bibliography (sheets 68-72)

ABSTRACT Water contamination is referred to as pollution of different water sources by various substances that led to the unusability of the water for various domestic uses such as swimming, cleaning, cooking and more importantly drinking. The contaminants composed of parasites, bacteria, trash and other harmful chemicals. Therefore, the current study involves the use of activated carbon synthesized from the shell of Thevetia peruviana (TPS) for the removal of Methoxychlor as a potential pollutant from water. The batch sorption experiments were determined using a range concentration of 10-50 ppm. The TPS was activated using potassium hydroxide and was characterized by pH, SEM, FTIR and BET. The optimum conditions for this study showed the temperature at 30 °C, pH of 2, agitation speed at 150 rpm and sorbent dosage 0.15g. Sorption of Methoxychlor removal efficiency was up to 94.90%. The sorption experiment best fits the Pseudo-second-order kinetics at R2 =0.9995. The kinetic of the sorption indicated the sorption equilibrium time as 90 min and analysis of sorption isotherm revealed that the data fitted well to Langmuir sorption isotherm model with R2 of 0.9993 indicating multi-layer sorption of Methoxychlor on the surface. In conclusion, TPS can be considered as an excellent material for the preparation of activated carbon, which can be used as an adsorbent that can be used in treatment of water.