Physicochemical Characteristics and Maleic Acid Adsorption Capacity of Lakhra Coal (Pakistan)

Abstract

Lakhra coal was leached with various extractants/leachants such as HCl, H2O2 and KMnO4, for the generation of porosity as well active site for the removal of maleic acid from aqueous solution. The physicochemical analyses indicated that the quantity of ash content, total sulfur and chlorine was decreased after leaching with these leachants. The adsorption study showed that the KMnO4 treated coal sample adsorbed high quantity of maleic acid (49 mg/g) compared to H2O2 and HCl treated coal sample. The adsorption of maleic acid was level off after 1 h in the case of KMnO4 treated coal while its adsorption on H2O2 and HCl treated coal samples increased gradually and then level off after 2 and 3 h respectively.