Utilization of Dak Lak durian peel-derived activated carbon for amoxicillin adsorption: Equilibrium and kinetics

Kim Thu Phan Thi; Lê Minh Ngọc Hân; Nguyễn Thị Duy

doi:10.62239/jca.2026.055

Authors

Kim Thu Phan Thi Tay Nguyen University
Le Minh Ngoc Han Tay Nguyen University
Nguyen Thi Duy Tay Nguyen University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62239/jca.2026.055

Keywords:

Durian shell, Activated carbon, KOH activation, Amoxicillin, Adsorption Characteristics

Abstract

This study optimized the synthesis of durian shell-derived activated carbon (AC) via KOH chemical activation for the removal of amoxicillin (AMX) from aqueous solutions. The optimal conditions (KOH-to- biochar mass ratio of 2:1, impregnation time of 5 h, and activation temperature of 400 °C) yielded a material recovery of 46.2% and a specific surface area S_BET of 866.502 m²/g, a well developed micro-mesoporous structure with a total pore volume of 0.483 cm³/g and a point of zero charge pH_pzc of 6.5. AMX adsorption reached its maximum at pH 5.0–6.0, where AMX predominantly exists in its zwitterionic form driven by the simultaneous contributions of hydrogen bonding, π–π dispersion interactions, and capillary diffusion. The adsorption kinetics strictly followed the pseudo-second-order model (R² > 0.99), reaching equilibrium within 120 min, controlled simultaneously by boundary layer. Equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model (R² > 0.99), yielding a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 92.85 mg/g at 298 K. These findings demonstrate that AC from durian shell is a low-cost, highly efficient, and environmentally friendly adsorbent for water treatment.

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