Synthesizing palm kernel shell-based activated carbon for chloramphenicol removal via a single-step microwave heating

Abstract Chloramphenicol (CP) antibiotic in water can lead to environmental contamination and pose health risks to aquatic life and humans due to its antibiotic properties and potential to induce resistance. Thus, the objective of this research is to treat CP in water with the aid of activated carbon synthesized from palm kernel shell (PKSAC). The synthesis of PKSAC was performed via a single-step microwave heating technique. In equilibrium study, the adsorption uptakes of CP by PKSAC rose from 2.88 to 11.79 mg/g, when starting concentration of CP was elevated (5 to 30 mg/L). The best model describing the CP-PKSAC adsorption system was Langmuir model. The optimal coverage in monolayer mode, Q m was computed to 18.95 mg/g. For kinetic study, pseudo-second order (PSO) described the adsorption process studied the best. Boyd plot analysis confirmed that film diffusion was the rate-limiting mechanism in the CP adsorption by PKSAC. This indicates that the rate of adsorption is primarily governed by the resistance to mass transfer across the boundary layer surrounding the PKSAC particles. Identifying the slowest step in the adsorption process is crucial, as it allows for targeted optimizations to enhance the overall efficiency of the system.