Assessing the effect of iron ions adsorbed on activated carbon and the efficiency of decomposition of organic impurities using selected oxidizing agents

This study analyzes the effect of Fe (II) ions adsorbed on activated carbon on the efficiency of phenol decomposition, using H2O2, Fe2+/H2O2 (Fenton's reaction) and 1:1 HNO3 solutions (in the third case, in the presence of microwaves), and, accordingly, their effect on the sorptive capacity of regenerated activated carbons. The chemical regeneration of the activated carbons using the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) method resulted in partial oxidation of the adsorbed organic substance. The presence of Fe(II) ions improved the efficiency of the regeneration process. The oxidation of the adsorbed phenol, however, caused a significant loss of mass of the activated carbon.