Nature of adsorbent: The physiochemical nature of the adsorbent
can have profound effects on both rate and capacity for adsorption.
Adsorption by activated carbon is a surface phenomenon and is affected by
the following parameters.
• Surface functional groups
• Structural details
Significant amount of the carbonyl and carboxyl groups are present
on activated carbon surfaces. The behaviours of activated carbon as an
adsorbent have to be related to the surface functionally of the material and the
evidence for chemical interaction at the surface between carbonyl and
carboxyl groups and organic absorbates is convincing. The adsorption
capacity of activated carbon may well be accomplished by increasing the
concentration of the appropriate functional groups.