Removal of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and sodium dodecylether sulfate by granular activated carbon

Abstract

Adsorption isotherms of sodium dodecylether sulfate (SLES) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) onto granular activated carbon (GAC) at 25°C (aqueous solution) were experimentally determined by batch tests with respect to contact time, adsorbent amount and initial surfactant concentration. Close agreement of experimental data with Langmuir equilibrium model was observed. In Langmuir model, adsorptive capacity of CTAB was higher than that of SLES (Q° = 70.423 and 52.08 mgg⁻¹, respectively). L type isotherms were obtained that showed no strong competition among solvent molecules and surfactant molecules for the adsorption sites.