Preparation of bio-based porous carbon by microwave assisted phosphoric acid activation and its use for adsorption of Cr(VI)

[Display omitted] •A novel biosorbent developed from Ficus carica bast exhibits varied surface groups ideal for adsorption.•Superior capacity and faster kinetics for Cr(VI) removal were demonstrated.•H3PO4 in presence of microwave radiation resulted in shorted activation time.•Low cost, environmental friendliness exhibited by the biosorbent. Ficus carica fiber based activated carbon (FCAC) was used as a potential adsorbent for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous system. The adsorbent was prepared by carbonization of F. carica fiber followed by H3PO4 activation under microwave radiations. The activated carbon was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transformer infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption data were well studied for adsorption isotherms, kinetics models, and thermodynamics. Adsorption of chromium ion followed the second-order kinetics and best fitted the Langmuir adsorption isotherms. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) onto FCAC was 44.84mg/g. The calculated values of thermodynamic parameters like enthalpy change (ΔH°), entropy change (ΔS°), and free energy change (ΔG°) were found to be 7.85kJ/mol, 69.17J/molK, and −13.11kJ/mol, respectively. Adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature.