Enhancing Performance of Arsenic Adsorption through Ce‐Modified Activated Carbon Derived from Bamboo Shoot Shells

Abstract Arsenic is a major pollutant in aquatic environments. Due to its high toxicity and poor biodegradability, arsenic has emerged as a significant challenge in the realm of water pollution management. In this study, bamboo shoot shells activated carbon modified with cerium nitrate hexahydrate (Ce‐BAC) is prepared, and its adsorption properties for As (V) and As (III) are investigated. The results indicate that the adsorption capacity of bamboo shoot shells activated carbon (BAC) for As (V) and As (III) is measured to be 3.718 mg/g and 3.527 mg/g, respectively, under the conditions of an activation temperature of 900 °C, activation time of 75 minutes, and pH=7. After modifying it with cerium nitrate hexahydrate, the greatest adsorption capacity of Ce‐BAC for As (V) increases to 16.5 mg/g, and for As (III) to 21.47 mg/g. Moreover, the adsorption process of As (V) and As (III) by BAC and Ce‐BAC in this study exhibits conformity to pseudo‐second order kinetics. These findings indicate that the adsorption performance of As (V) and As (III) by Ce‐BAC has been greatly improved. Therefore, Ce‐BAC exhibits a vast potential in adsorbing both As (V) and As (III), showcasing promising prospects.