Adsorptive Removal of Tetracycline from Aqueous Media Using Biomass-Derived Activated Carbon from Palm Seeds

This study demonstrates the efficient removal of tetracycline (96.4%) from aqueous solutions using acrylonitrile-grafted palm seed activated carbon, optimized at pH 10 and lower temperatures (25 °C). Batch experiments revealed that adsorption capacity peaked at 350 mg/L (70% removal) under vigorous agitation (750 rpm), while adsorbent dosage critically influenced performance, with 0.9 g achieving 92.1% removal. Characterization via FTIR, SEM, and XRD confirmed the material’s porous structure (65.54% carbon, 30.52% nitrogen) and graphitic crystallinity, enabling strong π-π interactions. The exothermic process exhibited reduced efficiency at higher temperatures (7% at 45 °C) and larger adsorbent-adsorbate solution volume (20.1% at 150 mL). These results highlight the adsorbent’s cost-effectiveness and sustainability for water treatment, offering a viable alternative to conventional methods. The adsorbent was chemically modified through grafting with acrylonitrile to enhance its surface functionality and adsorption capacity. These findings demonstrate that acrylonitrile-grafted palm seed activated carbon is a promising, eco-friendly, and efficient adsorbent for removing tetracycline from contaminated water, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional treatment technologies.