Adsorption and kinetics of profenofos from waste water using activated carbon from sugercane bagasse.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
Profenofos, an organ phosphorus pesticide, is widely used in agriculture, leading to its frequent detection in wastewater streams. Its presence poses significant environmental and health risks due to its high toxicity and persistence. Conventional wastewater treatment methods often fall short in effectively removing such recalcitrant organic pollutants, necessitating the development of sustainable and efficient alternatives. This study addresses the critical need for an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach to Profenofos removal by investigating the potential of activated carbon derived from sugarcane bagasse, an abundant agricultural waste product, as an adsorbent. The primary objective of this research was to synthesize and characterize activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse and evaluate its efficacy in adsorbing Profenofos from aqueous solutions. Specific aims included optimizing the activation process, determining the adsorption kinetics and isotherms, and assessing the influence of various operational parameters such as pH, contact time, and initial Profenofos concentration on the adsorption efficiency. The study employed a batch adsorption technique, utilizing Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for adsorbent characterization, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry for Profenofos concentration analysis. Key findings revealed that the sugarcane bagasse-derived activated carbon exhibited a high adsorption capacity for Profenofos, with optimal removal observed at a neutral pH and extended contact times. Adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting a chemisorption mechanism, while the Langmuir isotherm model provided the best fit for the equilibrium data, indicating monolayer adsorption on a homogeneous surface. The maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be significantly high, demonstrating the adsorbent's strong affinity for Profenofos. This study successfully demonstrated that activated carbon produced from sugarcane bagasse is a promising, sustainable, and economically viable adsorbent for the effective removal of Profenofos from contaminated waste water
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Undergraduate research report
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Apolot, M. (2026). Adsorption and kinetics of profenofos from waste water using activated carbon from sugercane bagasse. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.