Carbonaceous Adsorbents Derived from Agricultural Sources for the Removal of Pramipexole Pharmaceutical Model Compound from Synthetic Aqueous Solutions

The aim of the present study was to synthesize various samples of activated carbon (AC) from different agricultural sources as precursors, like orange peels, tea stalks, and kiwi peels, as well as sucrose. The synthesis of AC was achieved with chemical activation using H3PO4 and KOH. The produced AC samples were tested as adsorbents for the removal of a pharmaceutical model compound, pramipexole dihydrochloride (PRM), from synthetic aqueous synthetic solutions. The produced-from-sucrose AC presented the higher yield of synthesis (similar to 58%). The physicochemical features of the materials were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy, N-2 physisorption, and SEM imaging. More specifically, the AC sample derived from sucrose (SG-AC) had the highest specific surface area (1977 m(2)/g) with the total pores volume, mesopores volume, and external surface area being 1.382 cm(3)/g, 0.819 cm(3)/g, and 751 m(2)/g, respectively. The effect of the initial pH and PRM concentration were studied, while the equilibrium results (isotherms) were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich models. The maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 213, 190, 155, and 115 mg/g for AC samples produced from sucrose, kiwi peels, orange peels, and tea stalks, respectively.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to synthesize various samples of activated carbon (AC) from different agricultural sources using chemical activation with H3PO4 and KOH. The AC sample produced from sucrose showed the highest yield of synthesis and specific surface area. The equilibrium results were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich models, with the AC sample produced from sucrose having the highest maximum adsorption capacity.