Pb(II) removal in water via adsorption onto deep eutectic solvent fabricated activated carbon

Abstract

Abstract In our current work, we have established a novel approach in the synthesis of a new adsorbent by using choline chloride and urea (DES)/orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) as our activating agent and palm kernel shell (PKS) as our precursor. The resulting activated carbon (DES/H3PO4-6002:3) was used to adsorb Pb(II) from aqueous solution. Characterization of DES-H3PO4-6002:3 by nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated good micropores structure and high surface area that makes DES/H3PO4-600 2:3 a suitable alternative for liquid phase adsorption. The fundamental batch experiment of DES/H3PO4-600 2:3 was investigated by different parameters (such as concentration, pH, temperature and absorbent dose). The results obtained indicated that Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order equation best fit the data, indicating that the adsorption was controlled by chemical reaction and monolayer uptake. In addition, the fabrication of DES/H3PO4 AC exhibits good potential for Pb(II) ions uptake, including its high adsorption capacity (97.1 mg/g) and good recyclability. The future potential of this works lies in the identification of alternatives to environmental benign synthesis AC and reuse of Pb(II) ion–laden biosorbent after heavy metal uptake.

Keywords

• DES/H3PO4
• Pb(II)
• Adsorption
• Reusability
• Palm kernel shell