Synthesis of activated carbon from aguaje seeds (Mauritia flexuosa) for the adsorption of the N,N-dimethylamine

Activated carbons (ACs) were prepared from aguaje seeds at different impregnation ratios of H 3 P O 4 /precursor equivalent to 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5, for the adsorption of N , N -dimethylamine (DMA). The samples were characterized by N 2 -sorption ( S B E T ), X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Boehm titration, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The samples were successfully activated to obtain highly microporous surface (>95 %) with high total BET surface area ( > 695 m 2 g - 1 ). Common acid functional groups were determined by the Boehm titration and FTIR. The kinetic data revealed that the results were better adjusted to pseudo-second order and Elovich models. To predict the adsorption process, different isotherm models were tested. The best fit isotherm model for AC-0.5 and AC-0.75 samples was the Temkin isotherm model. Meanwhile, the Langmuir isotherm was the best fit model for AC-1.0 and AC-1.5 samples. Moreover, it was found that the adsorption of DMA was highly influenced by the surface acidity and the microporosity of the carbons.