Abstract
Activated carbons were prepared by impregnation of crushed clean date pits in concentrated solutions of phosphoric acid or zinc chloride followed by carbonization in absence of air at $600^{\circ}C$. Steam-activated carbon was prepared by gasifying $600^{\circ}C$-carbonization product at $950^{\circ}C$ to a burn-off = 50%. KOH- activated carbon was prepared by impregnating date pitscarbonization product obtained at $450^{\circ}C$ in concentrated KOH solution followed by carbonization at $840^{\circ}C$. Textural properties of these carbons were determined from nitrogen adsorption at $-196^{\circ}C$ and the chemistry of the carbon surface was investigated by determination and of the surface carbon-oxygen (C-O) groups using bases of variable strength and dilute HCl. The adsorption of endosulphan at $27^{\circ}C$ on all the carbons prepared was undertaken. Adsorption of this pesticide at 32 and $37^{\circ}C$ was also undertaken for steam-activated and KOH-activated carbons. Phosphoric acid-activated carbons and steamactivated carbons are mainly microporous and have high surface concentration of C-O groups of acidic nature. Steamactivated and KOH-activated carbons exhibited surface areas > 1000 $m^2/g$ and contain micro and non-micrpores. The adsorption of endosulphan was related to the surface area of non-micropores and was retarded by the high concentration of surface C-O groups. The thermodynamic properties indicated the feasibility of the adsorption process and the possible regeneration of the carbon for further use.