Abstract The adaptability of activated carbon, particularly for environmental applications, has been highlighted by increased interest in sustainable materials. Through the production of activated carbon, this study investigated the value added action of prickly pear seed wastes, which is an abundant agro-industrial waste product. Activated carbon has advantageous properties, including minimal ash levels, a pH close to neutral, and a superior production rate of 60.59 ± %, was prepared by a chemical agent utilizing phosphoric acid. Furthermore, the adsorption indices suggest the presence of micro- and mesoporous features. However, these characteristics are inferred from adsorption tests and SEM observations rather than quantitatively confirmed, appropriate for adsorbing tiny organic molecules and gases, was suggested by a high iodine index 662.66 ± 0.28 mg g −1 . Concurrently, a methylene blue index of 375.01 ± 0.22 mg g −1 revealed moderate mesoporosity, excellent for trapping medium to large molecules. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed its porous characteristics. Its beneficial functional groups include: hydroxyl, carboxyl, and various phosphorus-oxygen bonds, were identified by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Overall, this study successfully validates prickly pear seed cake as a sustainable, locally available, and low-cost precursor for producing high-performance activated carbon. The robust adsorption capabilities, as evidenced by the iodine and methylene blue indices, highlighted its strong potential for practical environmental applications, particularly in the treatment of dyes and aqueous toxic pollutants, providing an effective method for broad industrial use.
Semmache et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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