Review: Recent Developments in the Implementation of Activated Carbon as Heavy Metal Removal Management

Water contamination, particularly by heavy metals originating from industrial processes, presents a significant threat to environmental sustainability and socio-economic development. Activated carbon (AC) has garnered considerable attention as a treatment due to its exceptional adsorption properties, characterized by a high surface area (273–827 m2/g), significant total pore volumes (0.27–0.69 ml/g), and well-defined micropores (8.2–12.4 nm), alongside tunable surface chemistry. Research efforts have focused on enhancing the synthesis, activation, and modification of AC to optimize its effectiveness in heavy metal removal from water. Studies consistently demonstrate that modified AC exhibits promising adsorption kinetics, often fitting well with Langmuir and pseudo-second-order physical adsorption models. Moreover, the economic viability of modified AC is underscored by its non-toxic nature, affordability, and sustainability. Experimental investigations reveal that AC can achieve substantial heavy metal removal efficiencies, ranging from 75 to 96%, contingent upon factors such as dosage, solution pH, surface properties, and contaminant concentrations. Despite advancements, widespread adoption of AC-based water treatment technologies remains largely confined to industrial settings. Key research priorities include the development of cost-effective and scalable synthesis methods for AC, particularly utilizing non-biodegradable feedstocks. Additionally, there is a pressing need for comprehensive studies assessing the efficacy of AC in real-world wastewater treatment scenarios. This review critically examines the role of AC in water treatment technologies, highlighting research gaps and delineating future research directions to advance sustainable and efficient water purification strategies.