Application of response surface methodology to optimize the fabrication of ZnCl-activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse for the removal of Cu.

The present study focused on the application of response surface methodology to optimize the fabrication of activated carbon (AC) from sugarcane bagasse for adsorption of Cu ion. The AC was synthesized via chemical activation with ZnCl as the activating agent. The central composite design based experiments were performed to assess the individual and interactive effect of influential parameters, including activation temperature, ZnCl impregnation ratio and activation time on the AC yield and removal of Cu ion from the aqueous environment. The statistically significant, well-fitting quadratic regression models were successfully developed as confirmed by high F- and low P-values (<0.0001), high correlation coefficients and lack-of-fit tests. Accordingly, the optimum AC yield and removal efficiency of Cu were predicted, respectively, as 48.8% and 92.7% which were approximate to the actual values. By applying the predicted optimal parameters, the AC shows a surprisingly high surface area of around 1,500 m/g accompanied by large pore volume and narrow micropore size at low fabrication temperature.