Removal of Pb2+ in Wastewater via Adsorption onto an Activated Carbon Produced from Winemaking Waste

This work describes the adsorption of Pb2+ in aqueous solution onto an activated carbon (AC) produced from winemaking waste (cluster stalks). After characterizing the AC using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and micro-Raman spectroscopy, the influence of different physico-chemical factors (stirring rate, temperature, pH, adsorbent concentration, etc.) on its capacity to adsorb Pb2+ was examined. Kinetic and thermodynamic studies showed that the adsorption of the Pb2+ follows a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and fits the Langmuir isotherm model, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of the AC was 58 mg/g at 288 K temperature and pH of 4. In conclusion, ACs made from waste cluster stalks could be successfully used to remove Pb2+ from polluted water.