Feasibility and recyclability study of magnetic activated carbon derived from palm tree fibres (AC/Fe₃O₄) in thorium (IV) removal from aqueous solution

ABSTRACT

Entrance and penetration of Th (IV) into the human body can lead to many health effects. The main objective of the current study was to demonstrate the elimination of Th (IV) from aqueous solutions using magnetic activated carbon derived from palm tree fibres (AC/Fe₃O₄) as an efficient and environmentally friendly adsorbent. The Box-Behnken Design (BBD) under the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the impact of independent parameters and optimal conditions. The optimal conditions were achieved in Th (IV) concentration of 11 mg/L, contact time of 30 min, pH 4, and the adsorbent dose of 3.12 g/L (maximum adsorption of Th (IV): 96.60%). The AC/Fe₃O₄ had good recyclability and efficiency to remove Th (IV) from the aqueous environment.

KEYWORDS:

• Environmental pollution
• adsorption
• magnetic activated carbon
• palm tree waste
• thorium removal
• modelling

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences for support of the current research (Code number: 13072).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethical consideration

This study was approved at Ethics committee of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. (ID: IR.SSU.SPH.REC.1401.066).