Performance and modeling of Ni(II) adsorption from low concentrated wastewater on carbon microspheres prepared from tangerine peels by FeCl3-assisted hydrothermal carbonization

The presence of heavy metals in the environment as a consequence human activity is an issue that has caught attention researchers to find wastewater treatment solutions, such adsorption. In this work, hydrochars and activated carbon microspheres are prepared from tangerine peels precursor FeCl3 activating structure-directing agent hydrothermal carbonization, allowing obtain hydrochar ranging 50 3615 nm. addition, pyrochar was by pyrolysis same precursor. shows highest surface area (SBET up 287 m2 g–1), but basicity (1.83 mmol g−1, SBET = 104 g–1) determinant adsorption Ni, being considered carbon-based material with uptake capacity Ni. Isotherm kinetic Ni on most representative microsphere, microsphere assessed 10 7 models, respectively.