Synthesis and optimization of high surface area mesoporous date palm fiber-based nanostructured powder activated carbon for aluminum removal

• Main Authors: Basheer, Alfarooq O., Hanafiah, Marlia M., Alsaadi, Mohammed Abdulhakim, Al-Douri, Y., Al-Raad, Abbas A.
• Format: Article
• Published: Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering 2021
• Subjects: Q Science (General); TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/28089/
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

Date palm fiber (DPF) derived from agrowaste was utilized as a new precursor for the optimized synthesis of a cost-effective, nanostructured, powder-activated carbon (nPAC) for aluminum (Al3+) removal from aqueous solutions using carbonization, KOH activation, response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD). The optimum synthesis condition, activation temperature, time and impregnation ratio were found to be 650 degrees C, 1.09 hour and 1:1, respectively. Furthermore, the optimum conditions for removal were 99.5% and 9.958 mg.g(-1) in regard to uptake capacity. The optimum conditions of nPAC was analyzed and characterized using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, BET, TGA and Zeta potential. Moreover, the adsorption of the Al3+ conditions was optimized with an integrated RSM-CCD experimental design. Regression results revealed that the adsorption kinetics data was well fitted by the pseudo-second order model, whereas the adsorption isotherm data was best represented by the Freundlich isotherm model. Optimum activated carbon indicated that DPF can serve as a cost-effective precursor adsorbent for Al3+ removal. (C) 2021 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.