Development and Characterization of Biomass-Derived Carbons for the Removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> from Aqueous Solutions

This research explores the synthesis and application of carbon-based adsorbents derived from olive stones and almond shells as low-cost biomass precursors through carbonization at 600 °C combined with chemical activation using KOH, H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>, and ZnCl<sub...

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Main Authors: Vahid Rahimi, Catarina Helena Pimentel, Diego Gómez-Díaz, María Sonia Freire, Massimo Lazzari, Julia González-Álvarez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:C
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5629/11/1/2
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author Vahid Rahimi
Catarina Helena Pimentel
Diego Gómez-Díaz
María Sonia Freire
Massimo Lazzari
Julia González-Álvarez
author_facet Vahid Rahimi
Catarina Helena Pimentel
Diego Gómez-Díaz
María Sonia Freire
Massimo Lazzari
Julia González-Álvarez
author_sort Vahid Rahimi
collection DOAJ
description This research explores the synthesis and application of carbon-based adsorbents derived from olive stones and almond shells as low-cost biomass precursors through carbonization at 600 °C combined with chemical activation using KOH, H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>, and ZnCl<sub>2</sub> with carbon/activating agent (C/A) ratios of 1:2 and 1:4 (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) at 850 °C for the removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> ions from aqueous solutions. The carbons produced were characterized using different techniques including SEM-EDX, FTIR, XRD, BET analysis, CHNS elemental analysis, and point of zero charge determination. Batch-mode adsorption experiments were carried out at adsorbent doses of 2 and 5 g L<sup>−1</sup>, initial metal concentrations of 100 and 500 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, and natural pH (around 5) with agitation at 350 rpm and 25 °C for 24 h. KOH-activated carbons, especially at a 1:4 (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) ratio, exhibited superior adsorption performance mainly due to their favorable surface characteristics and functionalities. Pb<sup>2+</sup> was entirely removed (100%) at the highest initial concentration of 500 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and an adsorbent dosage of 5 g L<sup>−1</sup>, while for Cu<sup>2+</sup>, the maximum adsorption efficiency was 86.29% at an initial concentration of 100 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and a dosage of 2 g L<sup>−1</sup>. The results of this study will help advance knowledge in the design and optimization of adsorption processes for heavy metal removal, benefiting industries seeking green technologies to mitigate environmental pollution.
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spelling doaj-art-c7f91a41c8854fa691b32f5d07331b952025-08-20T03:43:30ZengMDPI AGC2311-56292024-12-01111210.3390/c11010002Development and Characterization of Biomass-Derived Carbons for the Removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> from Aqueous SolutionsVahid Rahimi0Catarina Helena Pimentel1Diego Gómez-Díaz2María Sonia Freire3Massimo Lazzari4Julia González-Álvarez5Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainDepartment of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainDepartment of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainDepartment of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainDepartment of Physical Chemistry, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Av. das Ciencias s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainDepartment of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Rúa Lope Gómez de Marzoa S/N, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, SpainThis research explores the synthesis and application of carbon-based adsorbents derived from olive stones and almond shells as low-cost biomass precursors through carbonization at 600 °C combined with chemical activation using KOH, H<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>, and ZnCl<sub>2</sub> with carbon/activating agent (C/A) ratios of 1:2 and 1:4 (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) at 850 °C for the removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> ions from aqueous solutions. The carbons produced were characterized using different techniques including SEM-EDX, FTIR, XRD, BET analysis, CHNS elemental analysis, and point of zero charge determination. Batch-mode adsorption experiments were carried out at adsorbent doses of 2 and 5 g L<sup>−1</sup>, initial metal concentrations of 100 and 500 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, and natural pH (around 5) with agitation at 350 rpm and 25 °C for 24 h. KOH-activated carbons, especially at a 1:4 (<i>w</i>/<i>w</i>) ratio, exhibited superior adsorption performance mainly due to their favorable surface characteristics and functionalities. Pb<sup>2+</sup> was entirely removed (100%) at the highest initial concentration of 500 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and an adsorbent dosage of 5 g L<sup>−1</sup>, while for Cu<sup>2+</sup>, the maximum adsorption efficiency was 86.29% at an initial concentration of 100 mg L<sup>−1</sup> and a dosage of 2 g L<sup>−1</sup>. The results of this study will help advance knowledge in the design and optimization of adsorption processes for heavy metal removal, benefiting industries seeking green technologies to mitigate environmental pollution.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5629/11/1/2biomasscarbon adsorbentschemical activationcopperleadadsorption
spellingShingle Vahid Rahimi
Catarina Helena Pimentel
Diego Gómez-Díaz
María Sonia Freire
Massimo Lazzari
Julia González-Álvarez
Development and Characterization of Biomass-Derived Carbons for the Removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> from Aqueous Solutions
C
biomass
carbon adsorbents
chemical activation
copper
lead
adsorption
title Development and Characterization of Biomass-Derived Carbons for the Removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> from Aqueous Solutions
title_full Development and Characterization of Biomass-Derived Carbons for the Removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> from Aqueous Solutions
title_fullStr Development and Characterization of Biomass-Derived Carbons for the Removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> from Aqueous Solutions
title_full_unstemmed Development and Characterization of Biomass-Derived Carbons for the Removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> from Aqueous Solutions
title_short Development and Characterization of Biomass-Derived Carbons for the Removal of Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> from Aqueous Solutions
title_sort development and characterization of biomass derived carbons for the removal of cu sup 2 sup and pb sup 2 sup from aqueous solutions
topic biomass
carbon adsorbents
chemical activation
copper
lead
adsorption
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5629/11/1/2
work_keys_str_mv AT vahidrahimi developmentandcharacterizationofbiomassderivedcarbonsfortheremovalofcusup2supandpbsup2supfromaqueoussolutions
AT catarinahelenapimentel developmentandcharacterizationofbiomassderivedcarbonsfortheremovalofcusup2supandpbsup2supfromaqueoussolutions
AT diegogomezdiaz developmentandcharacterizationofbiomassderivedcarbonsfortheremovalofcusup2supandpbsup2supfromaqueoussolutions
AT mariasoniafreire developmentandcharacterizationofbiomassderivedcarbonsfortheremovalofcusup2supandpbsup2supfromaqueoussolutions
AT massimolazzari developmentandcharacterizationofbiomassderivedcarbonsfortheremovalofcusup2supandpbsup2supfromaqueoussolutions
AT juliagonzalezalvarez developmentandcharacterizationofbiomassderivedcarbonsfortheremovalofcusup2supandpbsup2supfromaqueoussolutions