Magnetization and functionalization of activated carbon prepared by oak shell biowaste for removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solutions

In this research, the chemically treated activated carbon prepared by oak shells was magnetized and functionalized by dithizone. The adsorbent was then characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, TG–DTG, and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques and its performance for removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solutions was studied under different experimental conditions. Under optimized condition, the adsorption capacity of 255 mg g−1 was obtained which was higher than the reported values. The adsorbent was selective in the presence of 500 mg L−1 of Na+, K+, and Mg2+, 200 mg L−1 of Zn2+ and and 80 mg L−1 of Hg2+. The experimental data was fitted to the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The adsorbent was separated by magnetic field and regenerated by HCl solution.