Single-step pyrolysis for producing magnetic activated carbon from tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum) seed and nickel(II) chloride and zinc(II) chloride. Application for removal of nicotinamide and propanolol

[Display omitted] •Facile single-step synthesis of new magnetic activated carbon materials was carried out at 600 °C.•The combinations of ZnCl2/NiCl2 simultaneously provide excellent textural properties and high magnetization.•Maximum SBET and saturation magnetization of 1281 m2 g−1 and 13.29 emu g−1, respectively was attained.•The Qmax of 199.3 and 335.4 mg g−1 for nicotinamide and propranolol, respectively, was achieved.•The efficient total removal of simulated hospital effluents of 99.1 % was obtained. The present research describes the synthesis of new nanomagnetic activated carbon material with high magnetization, and high surface area prepared in a single pyrolysis step that is used for the carbonization, activation, and magnetization of the produced material. The pyrolysis step of tucumã seed was carried out in a conventional tubular oven at 600 °C under N2-flow. It was prepared three magnetic carbons MT-1.5, MT-2.0, MT-2.5, that corresponds to the proportion of biomass: ZnCl2 always 1:1 and varying the proportion of NiCl2 of 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5, respectively. These magnetic nanocomposites were characterized by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance, CHN/O elemental analysis, modified Boehm titration, N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms; and pHpzc. All the materials obtained presented Ni particles with an average crystallite size of less than 33 nm. The MT-2.0 was employed for the removal of nicotinamide and propranolol from aqueous solutions. Based on Liu isotherm, the Qmax was 199.3 and 335.4 mg g−1 for nicotinamide and propranolol, respectively. MT-2.0 was used to treat simulated pharmaceutical industry effluents attaining removal of all organic compounds attaining up to 99.1 % of removal.