Activated carbons were prepared by impregnation of crushed clean date pits in concentrated solutions of phosphoric acid or zinc chloride followed by carbonization in absence of air at 600℃. Steam-activated carbon was prepared by gasifying 600℃-carbonization product at 950℃ to a burn-off = 50%. KOH- activated carbon was prepared by impregnating date pitscarbonization product obtained at 450℃ in concentrated KOH solution followed by carbonization at 840℃. Textural properties of these carbons were determined from nitrogen adsorption at -196℃ and the chemistry of the carbon surface was investigated by determination and of the surface carbon-oxygen (C-O) groups using bases of variable strength and dilute HCl. The adsorption of endosulphan at 27℃ on all the carbons prepared was undertaken. Adsorption of this pesticide at 32 and 37℃ was also undertaken for steam-activated and KOH-activated carbons. Phosphoric acid-activated carbons and steamactivated carbons are mainly microporous and have high surface concentration of C-O groups of acidic nature. Steamactivated and KOH-activated carbons exhibited surface areas 〉 1000 m2/g and contain micro and non-micrpores. The adsorption of endosulphan was related to the surface area of non-micropores and was retarded by the high concentration of surface C-O groups. The thermodynamic properties indicated the feasibility of the adsorption process and the possible regeneration of the carbon for further use.

• Sheikha.S. Ashour(Chemistry Department, Applied Science College, Umm El-Qura University)