This article presents the simultaneous adsorption of bimetal Cu2+ and Zn2+ from an aqueous solution using activated carbon synthesized from a plum seed precursor by sulfuric acid and microwave activation: plum seeds chemically activated by 45% (w/w) sulfuric acid with 2:1 ratio for 4 h, then carbonized for 2 h at 700 °C and the product obtained activated in a microwave oven for 20 min at 700 W for final of activation. Plum seeds and activated carbon produced were characterized in terms of their physical and chemical composition using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements, field emission scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of absorption time, bimetal solution pH, bimetal concentration and dosage of activated carbon on the capacity of adsorption and removal efficiency were studied with Design‐Expert software using response surface methodology with the I‐optimal method for experimental data analysis.
The results showed that the statistical analysis of Cu2+ and Zn2+ removal efficiency followed the quadratic models generated by Design‐Expert software with significant
Activated carbon synthesized from plum seeds with chemical and microwave activation could be effectively used as an adsorbent for bimetal Cu2+ and Zn2+ in aqueous solution. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
