Removal of ibuprofen and paracetamol from water using a blend activated carbon from paper waste and avocado seeds

• Published in: Green Analytical Chemistry 2024-09, Vol.10, p.100135, Article 100135
• Main Authors: Mabalane, K, Thabede, PM, Shooto, ND
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Avocado seeds; Carbon; Ibuprofen; Paper waste; Paracetamol
• ISSN: 2772-5774; 2772-5774
• DOI: 10.1016/j.greeac.2024.100135

•The study produced carbon blends from avocado seeds and paper waste and activated them with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric acid (HNO3) and potassium permanganate (KMnO4).•Characterization by SEM show that the morphology of the adsorbents was porous.•Contact time effect data complemented the PSO model, the model is based on chemisorption, where electrons are transferred and shared, hydrogen bonding and the π-π interaction.•The thermodynamic parameters indicate that sorption is endothermic and spontaneous and that there is greater freedom at the solution interface during uptake. The presence of pharmaceuticals in water is a major problem worldwide. To alleviate this, this study produced carbon blends from avocado seeds and paper waste and activated them with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric acid (HNO3) and potassium permanganate (KMnO4). The effectiveness of the adsorbents was tested in removing ibuprofen (IBU) and paracetamol (PRC) from water. Characterization of the adsorbents by SEM, BET, FTIR and TGA revealed that the morphology was porous, with a large surface area and several functional groups bound to the surface. The concentration effect experiments showed that the uptake of IBU and PRC increased with an increasing initial concentration and that these data were consistent with the Freundlich model. The contact time effect showed that the uptake of PRC was rapid in the initial phase for all the adsorbents. However, the rate gradually slowed down and equilibrium was reached after 40 min for BCMN, 60 min for BCMH and BCMP and 120 min for BCM. IBU, on the other hand, showed that equilibrium was reached after 30 min for BCMN, BCMH and BCMP and after 120 min for BCM. These data complemented the PSOM. The model is based on chemisorption, where electrons are transferred and shared, and hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions. The △Ho value confirms that the sorption of IBU and PRC was endothermic. The △So was positive, indicating greater freedom at the solution interface during uptake. [Display omitted]