Application of response surface methodology to optimize the fabrication of ZnCl2-activated carbon from sugarcane bagasse for the removal of Cu2+

The present study focused on the application of response surface methodology to optimize the fabrication of activated carbon (AC) from sugarcane bagasse for adsorption of Cu2+ ion. The AC was synthesized via chemical activation with ZnCl2 as the activating agent. The central composite design based experiments were performed to assess the individual and interactive effect of influential parameters, including activation temperature, ZnCl2 impregnation ratio and activation time on the AC yield and removal of Cu2+ ion from the aqueous environment. The statistically significant, well-fitting quadratic regression models were successfully developed as confirmed by high F- and low P-values (<0.0001), high correlation coefficients and lack-of-fit tests. Accordingly, the optimum AC yield and removal efficiency of Cu2+ were predicted, respectively, as 48.8% and 92.7% which were approximate to the actual values. By applying the predicted optimal parameters, the AC shows a surprisingly high surface area of around 1,500 m(2)/g accompanied by large pore volume and narrow micropore size at low fabrication temperature.