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

Abstract

• Date palm fiber was synthesized and optimized as a nanostructured activated carbon. • Optimum synthesis condition was investigated. • Date palm fiber is a new low cost precursor for Al 3+ removal. • Kinetic and isotherm were in line with pseudo second order and Freundlich model. 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 (Al 3+ ) 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 °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 Al 3+ 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 Al 3+ removal.