Influence of adsorption parameters on phenolic compounds removal from aqueous solutions: A mini review

Phenol and its derivatives are pollutants of great environmental concern due to their acute toxicity even in minute amounts, to both aquatic life and people. Many regulatory bodies have tagged them as priority pollutants. Phenol levels exceeding the acceptable limit in our environment is no longer a new issue and there is a rise in contamination of phenol due to rapid industrialization. Thus, the increased interest in this pollutant's investigation is related to the significance and urgency of its removal. Several methods are currently used for the removal of phenol and its derivatives from aqueous solutions. Each method is associated with its advantages and disadvantages but by far adsorption using adsorbent is the most widely used method. The sorption of phenolic compounds is a very complex process, and many factors influence it. This paper presents a summary of the sorption of phenolic compounds from aqueous solutions. Several parameters influencing the adsorption capacity phenolic compound such as sorption capacity, removal efficiency, effects of pH, contact time, effect sorbent dosage, concentration and temperature by various adsorbents have been reviewed.