Mesoporous activated carbon prepared from waste fibers and their application on removing iron (II) ions from aqueous solution: Adsorption isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies

Abstract In this work, a new mesoporous activated carbon from waste corrugated fiberboard (WCF) and waste paper (WP) were prepared via chemical activation impregnation with zinc chloride at different temperatures as a low cost, eco-friendly, and effective biosorbent for elimination of Fe(II) from the aqueous solution. The morphology and surface properties of ACWCF and ACWP were characterized by, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Boehm's titration, specific surface area (BET), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The results showed that the ACWCF and ACWP had a high surface area of 1110.99 m2/g and 298.59 m2/g, respectively. Batch experiments tested the influence of pH, initial Fe(II) concentration, adsorbent mass, contact time, and temperature on the adsorption process. The adsorption kinetics could be expressed well by the PSO model. The adsorptions of Fe(II) onto ACWCF and ACWP were fitted best using the Langmuir and Dubinin- Radushkevich isotherm models with maximum capacities of 66.66 mg/g and 41.67 mg/g at 55°C, respectively. The adsorption process on ACWCF and ACWP may be controlled for both electrostatic interaction mechanisms. Based on the above results, it can be concluded that the ACWCF is effective adsorbent for the elimination of Fe(II) from aqueous solutions