Removal of Metal Ions from Wastewater By Surface Activated Carbon Microsphere

Carbon Micro-spheres (CMS) were synthesized via hydrothermal reactions and then surface activated by different agents, respectively. The CMS samples were characterized using various instruments and tested for the adsorption of Ag^+/Cu²⁺ in aqueous solutions. It was found that CMS sample activated with NaOH presented the better adsorption capacity towards metal ions, while CH₃COOH-activated CMS sample had a comparable capacity to the native CMS. Experiments also revealed that longer time of reaction (19 hours) resulted in CNS with a more amorphous structure but a lowered adsorption capacity, the batch and fixed bed operation modes were tested and it was found the CMS can be used to remove the metal ions at low concentration with high removal efficiency.