One-step ZnCl2/FeCl3composites preparation of magnetic activated carbon for effective adsorption of rhodamine B dye

The conventional methods of magnetic activated carbon preparation involved multiple steps and often result in poor removal performance. This work was aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and adsorptive properties of magnetic activated carbons produced via single-step preparation using zinc chloride/ferric chloride activation for rhodamine B removal. The materials were characterized for proximate and elemental composition, textural characteristics, surface chemistry, and magnetic properties. The magnetic activated carbon endows a specific surface area of 1775 m2/g with 93.8% mesoporosity, featured an excellent rhodamine B (RB) adsorption at 371 mg/g. The magnetic activated carbons prepared by conventional magnetization methods and non-magnetic activated carbon were also employed for comparison. The adsorption of RB is an endothermic and spontaneous process. The activation energy of 24.1–28.9 kJ/mol indicates that the process is physisorption. The magnetic activated carbon exhibits a higher recovery of 93.7% for three consecutive cycles at regeneration condition of 68.3 °C for 1 h. The findings demonstrate the practical views of a facile preparation of magnetic activated carbon in simplifying the separation in a fast and cost-effective manner for wastewater treatment.