Mechanism of adsorption and electrosorption of bentazone on activated carbon cloth in aqueous solutions

An electrochemical technique has been applied to enhance the removal of a common herbicide (bentazone) from aqueous solutions using an activated carbon cloth as electrode. A pH increase from acidic to basic reduces the uptake, with capacities going from 127 down to 80 mg/g at pH 2 and 7, respectively. Increasing the oxygen content of the carbon cloth causes a decrease in the bentazone loading capacity at all pH values. This indicates that adsorption is governed by both dispersive and electrostatic interactions, the extent of which is controlled by the solution pH and the nature of the adsorbent. Anodic polarization of the carbon cloth noticeably enhances the adsorption of bentazone, to an extent depending on the current applied to the carbon electrode. The electrosorption is promoted by a local pH decrease provoked by anodic decomposition of water in the pores of the carbon cloth.