Performance of coal-based activated carbon modified with NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> for raw water treatment

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an activated carbon/NiFe 2 O 4 composite in the treatment of raw water from the Lematang River, with an emphasis Fe, Mn, and turbidity levels.Activated carbon is produced through the treatment of coal with a KOH activator.The characterization of activated carbon and the activated carbon/NiFe 2 O 4 composite involved X-ray diffraction (XRD), (BET) surface area analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).The surface area of activated carbon/NiFe 2 O 4 composite is 293.992m/g and demonstrates magnetic properties, indicated by a saturation magnetization value of 21.13 emu/g.The optimal conditions for the removal of Fe, Mn, and turbidity were determined to be a dosage of 0.4 g/L, a contact time of 60 min, and a stirring speed of 250 rpm.Under optimal conditions, the composite demonstrated a significant removal efficiency for Fe (96.12%),Mn (98.78%), turbidity (87.02%),TSS (93.49%), and COD (59.27%), along with an increase in pH from 5.38 to 7.66.The Langmuir adsorption isotherm is the appropriate adsorption model to reduce Fe, Mn and turbidity.Activated carbon/NiFe 2 O 4 composite exhibits significant potential for applications in clean water provision.