Mesoporous activated carbon derived from fruit by-product by pyrolysis induced chemical activation: optimization and mechanism for fuchsin basic dye removal

• Published in: International Journal of Phytoremediation
• Main Author: Hapiz A.; Jawad A.H.; Alothman Z.A.; Wilson L.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor and Francis Ltd. 2024
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85179734937&doi=10.1080%2f15226514.2023.2288904&partnerID=40&md5=5ca3f4da29ec08a62b8427a3457f9fdf

In this study, pineapple crown (PC) feedstock residues were utilized as a potential precursor toward producing activated carbon (PCAC) via pyrolysis induced with ZnCl2 activation. The PCAC has a surface area (457.8 m2/g) and a mesoporous structure with an average pore diameter of 3.35 nm, according to the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller estimate. The removal of cationic dye (Fuchsin basic; FB) was used for investigating the adsorption parameters of PCAC. The optimization of significant adsorption variables (A: PCAC dose (0.02–0.1 g/100 mL); B: pH (4–10); C: time (10–90); and D: initial FB concentration (10–50 mg/L) was conducted using the Box-Behnken design (BBD). The pseudo-second-order (PSO) model characterized the dye adsorption kinetic profile, whereas the Freundlich model reflected the equilibrium adsorption profile. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of PCAC for FB dye was determined to be 171.5 mg/g. Numerous factors contribute to the FB dye adsorption mechanism onto the surface of PCAC, which include electrostatic attraction, H-bonding, pore diffusion, and π–π stacking. This study illustrates the utilization of PC biomass feedstock for the fabrication of PCAC and its successful application in wastewater remediation. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.