This study assessed the adsorption performance of methylene blue (MB) onto activated carbons (ACs) prepared from wastewater-grown algal biomass collected through various harvesting and pretreatment methods. Six ACs with micro- and mesoporous structures were produced via a single-step carbonization and steam activation process. Batch adsorption experiments showed an equilibrium time of about 1000 min, with ACs from biomass coagulated with Tanfloc® displaying the highest capacities (477 and 557 mg g⁻1). Isotherm modeling revealed that the adsorption of MB by ACs from untreated biomass and those pretreated at 60 °C was better described by the Redlich–Peterson model. In contrast, the Freundlich model provided a better fit for ACs pretreated at 78 °C and under thermochemical conditions, indicating surface heterogeneity. Kinetic analysis offered insights into the adsorption mechanism, supporting predictive modeling for process optimization. Unlike prior research focused on production and characterization, this study emphasizes the practical application of algal-based ACs for dye removal, demonstrating their effectiveness in wastewater treatment and potential for integration into circular economy-oriented algal biorefineries.
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Estevam et al. (2026) studied this question.
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