Removal of Acid Red 88 Using Activated Carbon Produced from Pomelo Peels by KOH Activation: Orthogonal Experiment, Isotherm, and Kinetic Studies

Activated carbon (PPAC) from pomelo peels was prepared by carbonization and KOH activation. The performance of PPAC assessed removing acid red 88 (AR88) in aqueous solution. most suitable activation processes were found orthogonal experiments, aimed to achieve the maximum removal capacity AR88. Moreover, possible mechanisms adsorption studied through results characterization, isotherm fitting, kinetics simulation. Results showed preparation parameter that mattered AR88 efficiency temperature PPAC, followed impregnation ratio time. optimal conditions at 800°C, time 90 min, 2.5 : 1. characterization had a microporous amorphous structure whose BET specific area total pore volume 2504 m2/g 1.185 cm3/g, respectively. fitting demonstrated sorption process Langmuir model, theoretical maximal value 1486 mg/g. simulation pseudo-second-order model described behavior better, suggesting chemisorption seemed be rate-limiting step process. This work presented promising efficient adsorbent for water.