Activated carbon derived from sucrose and melamine as low-cost adsorbent with fast adsorption rate for removal of methylene blue in wastewaters

In the current study, adsorption of methylene blue (MB) from wastewaters using a synthesis of activated carbon derived from sucrose and melamine (ACS) was investigated. The adsorbent was simply synthesized by mixed of sucrose and melamine through polymeric bubble and interconnected macro structure delivered from gases composed of ammonia and vapor at 180 °C. The carbonization of those porous sucrose-derived polymers takes place at high temperature of 1000 °C and activation process under CO2 and air delivers high specific area of the absorbents at 500 °C. The characterization of adsorbent was done by energy dispersive spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, High-resolution TEM, X-ray diffraction, zeta potential and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that, ACS has high specific surface area of 1417.4 m2/g, contributing to improve adsorption of MB. The maximum adsorption capacity of MB was 454.57 mg/g and fast equilibrium time of 13 min, which was due to highly π* bonding of ACS on porous surfaces. The adsorption performance was compared to commercial activated carbon in terms of maximum adsorption capacity, equilibrium time. Besides, the recycle of adsorbent, removal of MB in wastewaters and adsorption cost evaluation were carried out. ACS could reuse 8 times without significantly reduced in adsorption capacity of MB and the adsorption cost require for removal of MB in wastewater was around 4.42 $/g. The results demonstrated that ACS can utilize as low-cost adsorbent for treatment of MB in wastewaters. [Display omitted] •Activated carbon derived from sucrose, melamine and urea (ACS) was synthesized.•ACS has high specific surface area of 1417.4 m2/g.•The maximum adsorption capacity of MB by ACS was 454.57 mg/g.•ACS showed high reusability even after 8 cycles.