Effect of carbon‐oxygen and carbon‐sulphur surface complexes on the adsorption of mercuric chloride in aqueous solutions by activated carbons

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Abstract
Several activated carbons obtained from commercial sources have been tested for their ability to remove mercuric chloride (HgCl2) from aqueous solutions. The chemical nature of the surface of the activated carbons was changed by introducing carbon‐oxygen and carbon‐sulphur surface complexes. The influence of these types of complexes on the adsorption of HgCl2 by the activated carbons has been studied. It seems that the existence of hydroquinonic, phenolic and hydrosulphide groups on the surface of the carbon reduces Hg(II) to Hg(I). However, there was an increase in the adsorption of Hg(II) when sulphide or hydrosulphide groups were present on the surface of the carbon. The effect of the pH of the solutions on HgCl2 adsorption was also studied; when the pH was changed from 1 to 7 there was an enhancement of the adsorption of HgCl2 by the activated carbons.

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