Adsorption of emerging pollutants on lignin-based activated carbon: Analysis of adsorption mechanism via characterization, kinetics and equilibrium studies

Lignin has been employed as a precursor to synthesize activated carbons with the aim of lignin-biomass revalorization. The properties these were compared, and best adsorbent was remove two emerging pollutants from water, acetaminophen acetamiprid. adsorption mechanisms pharmaceutical pesticide compounds analyzed, modeled interpreted via statistical physics models. In particular, kinetics isotherms acetamiprid at temperatures between 20 60 °C quantified experimentally. Equilibrium data fitted different physics-based isotherm models establish corresponding mechanism. A double layer model one type functional group correlate explain removal organic molecules. Steric parameters for also calculated thus determining that their multi-molecular. At tested operating conditions, endothermic, while exothermic. Physical forces expected be responsible both compounds. This study reports new insights on relevant commonly found in water worldwide.