Conversion of teak wood waste into microwave-irradiated activated carbon for cationic methylene blue dye removal: Optimization and batch studies

The objective of this study is to find optimum preparation conditions in converting teak wood waste into activated carbon (TWAC) and to evaluate its performance in adsorbing cationic dye of methylene blue (MB). TWAC was produced via physiochemical activation (potassium hydroxide, KOH chemical treatment, and carbon dioxide, CO₂ gasification) and heated through microwave irradiation technique. With the aid of response surface methodology (RSM), optimized TWAC was successfully synthesized at radiation power, radiation time, and impregnation ratio (IR) of 366 W, 5.30 min, and 1.15 g/g, respectively. These preparation conditions produced TWAC with MB adsorption uptakes of 66.69 mg/g and a yield of 38.23%. Characteristics of TWAC in terms of BET surface area, mesopores surface area, total pore volume, and average pore diameter were determined to be 1345.25 m²/g, 878.63 m²/g, 0.6140 cm³/g, and 2.85 nm, respectively. Isotherm studies divulged that the MB-TWAC adsorption system followed the Langmuir model with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 567.52 mg/g. In terms of kinetic studies, this adsorption system fit pseudo-second order model the best whereas Boyd plot confirmed that the adsorption process was controlled by the film diffusion mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters of enthalpy change, ΔH°, entropy change, ΔS°, Gibbs free energy, ΔG° and Arrhenius activation energy, E_a were calculated to be ?4.06 kJ/mol, 0.06 kJ/mol.K, –22.69 kJ/mol and 16.03 kJ/mol, respectively. The activation and microwave heating methods employed succeeded to produce TWAC with excellent adsorption performance in removing MB dye. TWAC was also successfully regenerated for 5 cycles via microwave heating technique.     

A novel study on synthesis of egg shell based activated carbon for degradation of methylene blue via photocatalysis

Egg shell-based activated carbon was successfully synthesized by the simple chemical activation process. Orthophosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide used as an activation agent. XRD pattern reveals the hexagonal structure of activated carbon. The functional group presents in activated carbon was identified using FT-IR spectroscopy. SEM images show irregular shapes of carbon. The photocatalytic performance of investigated activated carbon by illuminating methylene blue dye under UV–Visible irradiations. Photocatalytic activity of activated carbon results maximum degradation efficiency of 83%. Adsorption efficiency have been increased with respect of time for degradation of dye. Free radicals and superoxide’s play a significant role is decolourization of methylene blue. Photocatalytic activity of activated carbon synthesized by Orthophosphoric acid results shows the high degradation efficiency when compared to NaOH.     

Optimization and mass transfer simulation of remazol brilliant blue R dye adsorption onto meranti wood based activated carbon

Remazol brilliant blue R dye (RBBR) brings toxicity to living organisms once it enters the environment. This study utilized response surface methodology (RSM) and Polymath software for optimization and mass transfer simulation purposes, respectively. RSM revealed that the optimum preparation conditions of meranti wood-based activated carbon (MWAC) were 441 W, 5.76 min, and 1.35 g/g for radiation power, radiation time, and KOH:char impregnation ratio (IR), respectively, which translated into 86.39 mg/g of RBBR uptakes and 31.94 % of MWAC’s yield. The simulation study predicted the mass transfer rate, r_m to be 112.20 to 1007.50 s^?1 and the adsorption rate, k₁ to be 3.96 to 4.34 h^?1. The developed model predicted the adsorption surface area, a_m to be 790.04 m²/g and this value is highly accurate as compared to the actual mesopores surface area of 825.58 m²/g. Mechanism analysis divulged that the interaction that occurred between RBBR molecules and MWAC’s surface were hydrogen bond (methylene and alkyne), dipole–dipole force (alkyl carbonate, terminal alkyne, and methoxy), and ion–dipole force (primary amine). The isotherm and kinetic studies found that the adsorption data obeyed the Freundlich model and pseudo-first-order (PFO) model the best, respectively. The Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity, Q_m was computed to be 327.33 mg/g. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated to be ?4.06 kJ mol^?1, 0.06 kJ mol^?1 K^?1, –22.69 kJ mol^?1, and 16.03 kJ mol^?1 for ΔH°, ΔS°, ΔG°, and E_a, respectively, which signified the adsorption process studied was exothermic, spontaneous and governed by physisorption.     

Synthesis of activated carbon foams with high specific surface area using polyurethane elastomer templates for effective removal of methylene blue

Carbon foams have gained significant attention due to their tuneable properties that enable a wide range of applications including catalysis, energy storage and wastewater treatment. Novel synthesis pathways enable novel applications via yielding complex, hierarchical material structure. In this work, activated carbon foams (ACFs) were produced from waste polyurethane elastomer templates using different synthesis pathways, including a novel one-step method. Uniquely, the produced foams exhibited complex structure and contained carbon microspheres. The ACFs were synthesized by impregnating the elastomers in an acidified sucrose solution followed by direct activation using CO₂ at 1000 ℃. Different pyrolysis and activation conditions were investigated. The ACFs were characterized by a high specific surface area (S_BET) of 2172 m²/g and an enhanced pore volume of 1.08 cm³/g. Computer tomography and morphological studies revealed an inhomogeneous porous structure and the presence of numerous carbon spheres of varying sizes embedded in the porous network of the three-dimensional carbon foam. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy indicated that the obtained carbon foam was amorphous and of turbostratic structure. Moreover, the activation process enhanced the surface of the carbon foam, making it more hydrophilic via altering pore size distribution and introducing oxygen functional groups. In equilibrium, the adsorption of methylene blue on ACF followed the Langmuir isotherm model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 592 mg/g. Based on these results, the produced ACFs have potential applications as adsorbents, catalyst support and electrode material in energy storage systems.     

Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from bagasse fly ash

Activated carbons from bagasse fly ash (BFA) were prepared by one step chemical activation using ZnCl₂ as activating agent, or combination method of chemical with CO₂ physical activation (physicochemical activation). The development of porosity was studied in correlation with the method of activation, activation temperature, and also the chemical weight ratio. A typical sample by the combination method at 600 °C and weight ratio of ZnCl₂:BFA = 2 exhibited micropore volume of 0.528 cc/g, mesopore volume of 0.106 cc/g and surface area of 1200 m²/g. For determining the adsorption capacity of the carbon samples in solutions, phenol and methylene blue equilibrium adsorption experiments were conducted. The properties and adsorption capacity of the synthesized activated carbons has been compared to commercial activated carbon (Norit^® SX Plus).     

Green synthesis of activated carbon doped tungsten trioxide photocatalysts using leaf of basil (Ocimum basilicum) for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under sunlight

Tungsten oxide (WO₃) nanoparticles were prepared hydrothermally by basil leaves extract, and Activated Carbon (AC) was prepared by the carbonization of date pits. Moreover, 1, 2 and 3% of AC doped WO₃ nanoparticles have been fabricated under hydrothermal conditions. The obtained samples have been characterized by using different techniques such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTGA), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), BET surface area, and Ultra-Violet spectroscopy (UV–Vis). It was observed that band-gap energy of the fabricated materials decreases by increasing AC amount. Similarly, BET surface area and porosity results showed increasing the content of AC, surface area, pore size and pore volume were decreased. The functional groups, determined by FT-IR, played a significant role in the photocatalytic performance. The photocatalytic performance of fabricated samples was used for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) at neutral pH under visible light radiations, and it is observed that WO₃/3%AC photocatalyst showed the highest degradation of MB. Both, capped phytochemicals of basil extract and the nanocomposites, were improved the photocatalytic performance, about 94% photodegradation was observed within 25 min under the reaction conditions. The photocatalyst was stable and about 85% and 81% photodegradation of MB were found under the two times of reusability tests.     

Optimization of methylene blue removal from aqueous solutions using activated carbon derived from coffee ground pyrolysis: A response surface methodology (RSM) approach for natural and cost-effective adsorption

This study aimed to examine the impact of operational factors on the adsorption capacity of methylene blue (MB) using a natural and cost-effective adsorbent, activated carbon from coffee grounds (CAP). The three-factor Box-Behnken design of the response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize this economically viable process with maximum efficiency. Through extensive experiments, the factors influencing the adsorption process were identified, their interactions were measured, and a mathematical model was developed. The experiment evaluated the quantity of MB adsorbed by CAP based on pH (2.5–10), initial MB concentration (10–100 mg/L), and CAP adsorbent amount (0.05–0.1 g/L). The results revealed that both concentration and mass significantly influenced the decoloration enhancement. Optimal conditions for achieving a 91 % degradation efficiency were determined as 0.05 g/L adsorbent weight, 100 mg/L dye concentration, and pH 2.5, with a desirability score of approximately 0.986, aligning closely with the predictions of the BBD model. In conclusion, this research addresses a research gap by demonstrating the high effectiveness of the CAP adsorbent in removing dyes from textiles.     

Facile preparation of hierarchically porous carbon using diatomite as both template and catalyst and methylene blue adsorption of carbon products

Hierarchically porous carbons were prepared using a facile preparation method in which diatomite was utilized as both template and catalyst. The porous structures of the carbon products and their formation mechanisms were investigated. The macroporosity and microporosity of the diatomite-templated carbons were derived from replication of diatom shell and structure-reconfiguration of the carbon film, respectively. The macroporosity of carbons was strongly dependent on the original morphology of the diatomite template. The macroporous structure composed of carbon plates connected by the pillar- and tube-like macropores resulted from the replication of the central and edge pores of the diatom shells with disk-shaped morphology, respectively. And another macroporous carbon tubes were also replicated from canoe-shaped diatom shells. The acidity of diatomite dramatically affected the porosity of the carbons, more acid sites of diatomite template resulted in higher surface area and pore volume of the carbon products. The diatomite-templated carbons exhibited higher adsorption capacity for methylene blue than the commercial activated carbon (CAC), although the specific surface area was much smaller than that of CAC, due to the hierarchical porosity of diatomite-templated carbons. And the carbons were readily reclaimed and regenerated.     

海螵蛸的不同处理工艺对溶液中亚甲基蓝和氰化氢吸附能力的影响研究

采用不同的处理工艺处理制备得到海螵蛸颗粒(CO),以活性炭(AC) 为空白对照,完成了三种海螵蛸颗粒在水溶剂体系下对亚甲基蓝(MB)和氰化氢(HCN)的吸附能力测试。实验结果显示,对MB吸附的能力：AC>>酸/碱处理并热活化的CO >酸/碱处理的CO>未经处理的CO; 对HCN的吸附能力：酸/碱处理并热活化的CO >酸/碱处理的CO > AC>未经处理的CO。这表明经过酸和碱处理、再热活化的CO有很强的HCN吸附能力,有望以其为原料制备出吸附力很强的HCN吸附材料,在卷烟烟气吸附方面具有良好的应用前景。     

Removal of cationic methylene blue and malachite green dyes from aqueous solution by waste materials of Daucus carota

In present study adsorption capacity of waste materials of Daucus carota plant (carrot stem powder: CSP and carrot leaves powder: CLP) was explored for the removal of methylene blue (MB) malachite green (MG) dye from water. The morphology and functional groups present were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The operating variables studied were pH, adsorbent dose, ionic strength, initial dye concentration, contact time and temperature. Equilibrium data were analysed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and monolayer adsorption capacity of adsorbents were calculated. Kinetic data were studied using pseudo-first and pseudo-second order kinetic models and the mechanism of adsorption was described by intraparticle diffusion model.Various thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy of adsorption ΔH°, free energy change ΔG° and entropy ΔS° were estimated. Negative value of ΔH° and negative values of ΔG° showed that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. Negative value of entropy ΔS° showed the decreased randomness at the solid–liquid interface during the adsorption of MB and MG onto CSP and CLP.     

Adsorption of anthracene using activated carbon and Posidonia oceanica

The aim of this work was to examine the static capacity of adsorption of anthracene by Posidonia oceanica and activated carbon. The effect of experimental parameters pH and contact time on the anthracene adsorption onto cited materials was investigated in detail. The results showed that the anthracene removal on both P. oceanica and activated carbon was unaffected in the pH range of 2–12. The equilibrium data fit well to the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 8.35 mg/g and 0.14 mg/g, respectively with activated carbon and P. oceanica.     

Kinetic and equilibrium studies of urea adsorption onto activated carbon: Adsorption mechanism

We found that activated carbon effectively removed urea from solution and that urea adsorption onto activated carbon followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. We classified the urea adsorption on activated carbon as physical adsorption and found that it was best described by the Halsey adsorption isotherm, suggesting that the multilayer adsorption of urea molecules on the adsorption sites of activated carbon best characterized the adsorption system. The mechanism of adsorption of urea by activated carbon involved two steps. First, an amino (–NH₂) group of urea interacted with a carbonyl (–C?O) group and a hydroxyl (?OH) group on the surface of activated carbon via dipole–dipole interactions. Next, the –C?O group of the urea molecule adsorbed to the activated carbon interacted with another –NH₂ group from a second urea molecule, leading to multilayer adsorption.     

Adsorption of basic green 4 onto gasified Glyricidia sepium woodchip based activated carbon: Optimization,characterization, batch and column study

The abundance of gasification char residues which contributed to solid waste management problem is one of the major concerns in biomass gasification industry. This study focuses on synthesizing gasified Glyricidia sepium woodchip based activated carbon (GGSWAC) for the removal of basic green 4 (BG4) dye, evaluating the GGSWAC physicochemical properties and assessing the BG4 adsorption performance in batch and fixed-bed column systems. The optimal conditions of GGSWAC synthesis were at radiation power, time, and impregnation ratio (IR) of 616 W, 1 min and 1.93 g/g, respectively. The surface area (S_BET) and total pore volume (TPV) of GGSWAC were 633.30 m²/g and 0.34 cm³/g, respectively. The Fritz–Schlünder best fitted to the experimental data at all temperatures in the isothermal studies, indicating a monolayer adsorption. The kinetic study showed that BG4 adsorption followed Avrami kinetic model. Based on thermodynamic parameters, the adsorption of BG4 dye onto GGSWAC was an endothermic and spontaneous process. In continuous operation, the Thomas and Yoon–Nelson models successfully predicted BG4 adsorption onto GGSWAC. The low production cost of 0.54 USD/kg showed that GGSWAC is economically feasible for commercialization.     

Microwave assisted preparation of efficient activated carbon from grapevine rhytidome for the removal of methyl violet from aqueous solution

Grapevine rhytidome (the outer layer of bark on trunk), as an abundant and low-cost precursor, was used to prepare granular activated carbon with high surface area for the removal of methyl violet from aqueous solution. Microwave heating source was used to reduce the treatment time and energy consumption. To optimize the preparation, the effects of the different parameters, such as phosphoric acid concentration, acid/precursor weight ratio, impregnation time, microwave power, radiation time, and oven heating time on the ability of the samples for removal of methyl violet were studied. The obtained activated carbon was characterized by N₂ adsorption/desorption, SAXS, TEM and SEM methods. The adsorption of methyl violet onto the activated carbon was studied from both equilibrium and kinetic point of view and the results were compared with the commercial granular activated carbon. The rate of adsorption onto the prepared activated carbon was faster than commercial activated carbon. Different kinetic models were used to analyze the experimental kinetic data. The obtained activated carbon showed higher adsorption capacity (more than twice) for the adsorption of methyl violet in comparison with the commercial one. The equilibrium data were analyzed using different isotherm models. Adsorption was found to be maximum in the pH range 7-9.     

Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Euphorbia milii leaf constituents: Characterization and improved photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye under natural sunlight

A facile biosynthesis route was followed to prepare zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Euphorbia milii (E. milii) leaf constituents. The SEM images exhibited presence of spherical ZnO NPs and the corresponding TEM images disclosed monodisperse nature of the ZnO NPs with diameter ranges between 12 and 20 nm. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis revealed that the ZnO NPs have specific surface area of 20.46 m²/g with pore diameter of 2 nm–10 nm and pore volume of 0.908 cm³/g. The EDAX spectrum exemplified the existence of Zn and O elements and non-appearance of impurities that confirmed pristine nature of the ZnO NPs. The XRD pattern indicated crystalline peaks corresponding to hexagonal wurtzite structured ZnO with an average crystallite size of 16.11 nm. The FTIR spectrum displayed strong absorption bands at 512 and 534 cm^?1 related to ZnO. The photocatalytic action of ZnO NPs exhibited noteworthy degradation of methylene blue dye under natural sunlight illumination. The maximum degradation efficiency achieved was 98.17% at an illumination period of 50 min. The reusability study proved considerable photostability of the ZnO NPs during photocatalytic experiments. These findings suggest that the E. milii leaf constituents can be utilized as suitable biological source to synthesis ZnO NPs for photocatalytic applications.     

Facile synthesis and characterization of Fe2O3 nanoparticles using L-lysine and L-serine for efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye

In this work, Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles, abbreviated as OL and OS, were facilely synthesized by the combustion procedure using L-lysine and L-serine as organic fuels, respectively. Also, the OL and OS samples were identified using different instruments such as Raman spectrometer, FT-IR spectrophotometer, UV–Vis spectrophotometer, XRD, HR-TEM, BET surface area, and FE-SEM. The XRD confirmed that the mean grain size of OL and OS samples is 42.23 and 33.16 nm, respectively. The HR-TEM images confirmed that irregular, hexagonal, and spherical shapes, have an average diameter of 39.13 and 34.28 nm, were observed in the OL and OS samples, respectively. The BET surface area of the OL and OS samples is 16.20 and 28.34 m²/g, respectively. Additionally, the OL and OS samples were accomplished for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye in the absence and presence of hydrogen peroxide. The % degradation of 45 mL of 25 mg/L of methylene blue dye in the case of using OL and OS samples in the absence of hydrogen peroxide is 55.23 and 63.64 % after 120 min, respectively. Also, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, the % degradation in the case of using OL and OS samples is 100 % after 35 and 25 min, respectively.     

Optimization of preparation conditions for activated carbon from palm oil fronds using response surface methodology on removal of pesticides from aqueous solution

Palm oil fronds were used to prepare activated carbon using the physiochemical activation method, which consisted of potassium hydroxide (KOH) treatment and carbon dioxide (CO₂) gasification. The effects of variable parameters activation temperature, activation time and chemical impregnation ratios (KOH: char by weight) on the preparation of the activated carbon and for the removal of pesticides: bentazon, carbofuran and 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were investigated. Based on the central composite design (CCD), two factor interaction (2FI) and quadratic models were respectively employed to correlate the effect of variable parameters on the preparation of activated carbon used for the removal of pesticides with carbon yield. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the most influential factor on each experimental design response was identified. The optimum conditions for preparing the activated carbon from oil palm fronds were found as follows: activation temperature of 750 °C, activation time of 2 h and chemical impregnation ratio of 2.38. The percentage error between predicted and experimental results for the removal of bentazon, carbofuran and 2,4-D were 8.2, 1.3 and 9.2%, respectively and for the yield of the palm oil frond activated carbon was 5.6.     

Adsorption of some metal complexes derived from acetyl acetone on activated carbon and purolite S-930

A new Schiff base (HL) derived from condensation of p-anisidine and acetyl acetone has been prepared and used as a chelating ligand to prepare Cr(III), Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes. The study of the nature of these complexes formed in ethanol solution following the mole ratio method (2:1, L:M) gave results which were compared successfully with these obtained from isolated solid state studies. These studies revealed that the complexes having square planner geometry of the type (ML₂), M = Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II), and octahedral geometry of the type [Cr^IIIL₂(H₂O)₂]Cl and [MN^IIL₂(H₂O)₂]. The adsorption studies of three complexes Cr(III), Mn(II), and Co(II) on activated carbon, H and Na-forms of purolite S-930 resin show high adsorption percentage for Cr(III) on purolite S-930 due to ion exchange interaction compared with high adsorption of neutral Mn(II), Co(II) complexes on activated charcoal. Linear plot of log Q_e versus log C_e showed that the adsorption isotherm of these three complexes on activated carbon, H and Na-forms of purolite S-930 surface obeys Freundlich isotherm and was similar to S-curve type according to Giles classification which investigates heterogeneous adsorption. The regression values indicate that the adsorption data for these complexes fitted well within the Freundlich isothermal plots for the concentration studied. The accuracy and precision of the concentration measurements of these complexes were determined by preparing standard laboratory samples, the results show relative error ranging from ±1.08 to 5.31, ±1.04 to 4.82 and ±0.28 to 3.09 and the relative standard deviation did not exceed ±6.23, ±2.77 and ±4.38% for A1, A2 and A3 complexes, respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from cotton stalks in a two-stage process

Activated carbons are prepared from cotton stalks by chemical activation with ZnCl₂, H₂SO₄ and physical activation using CO₂ and steam-CO₂ mixture for temperatures of 750, 850 and 900 °C. The effects of activation temperature and duration time, impregnation concentration of agent, impregnation times, and physical activating agent are examined. These materials are characterized by adsorption/desorption of N₂ to determine the BET areas, thermogravimetric analysis (TG, DTA), FTIR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ZnCl₂ under CO₂ atmosphere was found more effective than H₂SO₄ as a chemical reagent under identical conditions in terms of porosity development. The maximum BET surface area is found to be 2053 m²/g for active carbons produced with ZnCl₂ activation under CO₂ atmosphere.     

Mechanistic insights into methylene blue removal via olive stone-activated carbon: A study on surface porosity and characterization

Global attention is increasingly focused on the adverse health and environmental impacts of textile dyes, marking the necessity for effective and sustainable dye remediation strategies in industrial wastewater. This study introduces a novel, eco-friendly activated carbon produced from olive stones (OLS), a readily available by-product of the olive oil industry. The OLS was chemically activated with H₃PO₄ and KOH, creating two materials: OLS-P and OLS-K, respectively. These were then utilized as cost-effective adsorbents for the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye. The activated materials were characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), iodine number, and pHpzc analysis, with the zero-point charge determined as approximately pH 1 for OLS-P and pH 8 for OLS-K. Batch adsorption experiments conducted at various temperatures revealed that adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. Temperature was found to significantly impact adsorption performance, with OLS-K demonstrating a substantial increase in adsorption capacity (q_e) from 6.27 mg/g at 23˚C to 94.7 mg/g at 32 ˚C. Conversely, OLS-P displayed a decrease in q_e from 16.78 mg/g at 23 ˚C to 3.67 mg/g at 32 ˚C as temperature increased. The study highlights the potential of KOH-treated olive stones as a promising, cost-efficient adsorbent for methylene blue remediation from wastewater.