Removal of NO2 by carbonaceous adsorbents obtained from residue after supercritical extraction of marigold

Carbonaceous adsorbents were obtained from the residue after supercritical extraction of marigold subjected to physical activation and used as nitrogen dioxide and iodine adsorbents. The effect of carbonisation and activation temperature on the textural parameters, acid–base character of the surface and sorption properties of the activated carbons was tested. The materials obtained were activated carbons of low-developed surface area varying from 2 to 206 m2/g, showing clearly basic character of the surface. The results proved that proper selection of the carbonisation and activation procedure of the residue after supercritical extraction of marigold permitted obtaining carbonaceous adsorbents with good capacity toward liquid as well as gas inorganic pollutants. The effectiveness of NO2 removal was found to depend to large extent on the conditions of adsorption. The preliminary wetting of the adsorbent bed was shown to significantly increase the amount of pollutants removed.