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

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 (CO 2 ) and potassium acetate (CH 3 COOK) 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 m 2 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 CH 3 COOK as an effective activating agent.