Potentials of Canarium schweinfurthii seed shell as a novel precursor for CH3COOK activated carbon: statistical optimization, equilibrium and kinetic studies

Abstract The possibility of utilizing Canarium schweinfurthii seed shell (CSSS) as a precursor to optimally produce activated carbon was harnessed by physico-chemical activation. Carbon (IV) oxide (CO2) and potassium acetate (CH3COOK) were employed as physical and chemical activating agents, respectively. Its ability as an effective adsorbent was tested on aqueous solution by removing 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP). Central composite design was employed for the optimization giving rise to activation temperature of 670 °C, activation time of 100 min and impregnation ratio of 2.43. The optimal adsorbent (CSSS-AC) can be classified as mesoporous with surface area of 925.77 m2 g−1 and maximum adsorption capacity of 247.23 mg g−1. Higher amount of 2,4,6-TCP was removed at low pH with Freundlich and pseudo-second-order models found to be the most appropriate isotherm and kinetic model, respectively, in describing the adsorption process. The results reveal that C. schweinfurthii seed shell could be recommended as a promising novel precursor for producing activated carbons with high surface area and potentially desirable 2,4,6-TCP removal capacity, using CH3COOK as an effective activating agent