Development of Poly(diallyldimethylammonium) Chloride-Modified Activated Carbon for Efficient Adsorption of Methyl Red in Aqueous Systems

Simeng Li and Madjid Mohseni ()
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Simeng Li: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
Madjid Mohseni: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada

Clean Technol., 2025, vol. 7, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: A modified activated carbon (AC) was developed by modifying with poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDADMAC) to enhance its adsorption performance for water treatment applications. Different PDADMAC concentrations were explored and evaluated using methyl red as a model contaminant, with 8 w / v % PDADMAC yielding the best adsorption performance. The kinetics data were well described by the pseudo-first-order equation and homogeneous surface diffusion model. The Freundlich isotherm fit the equilibrium data well, indicating multilayer adsorption and diverse interaction types. The removal efficiency remained similar across a pH range of 5–9 and in the presence of background inorganic (NaCl)/organic compounds (sodium acetate) at different concentrations. Rapid small-scale column tests were performed to simulate continuous flow conditions, and the PDADMAC-modified AC effectively delayed the breakthrough of the contaminant compared to raw AC. Regeneration experiments showed that 0.1 M NaOH with 70% methanol effectively restored the adsorption capacity, retaining 80% of the initial efficiency after five cycles. Quantum chemical analysis revealed that non-covalent interactions, including electrostatic and Van der Waals forces, governed the adsorption mechanism. Overall, the results of this study prove that PDADMAC-AC shows great potential for enhanced organic contaminant removal in water treatment systems.

Keywords: modified activated carbon; adsorption; water treatment; quantum chemical analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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