Performance of coal-based activated carbon modified with NiFe2O4 for raw water treatment

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of an activated carbon/NiFe2O4 composite in the treatment of raw water from the Lematang River, with an emphasis Fe, Mn, and turbidity levels. Activated carbon is produced through the treatment of coal with a KOH activator. The characterization of activated carbon and the activated carbon/NiFe2O4 composite involved X-ray diffraction (XRD), (BET) surface area analysis, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The surface area of activated carbon/NiFe2O4 composite is 293.992 m2/g and demonstrates magnetic properties, indicated by a saturation magnetization value of 21.13 emu/g. The optimal conditions for the removal of Fe, Mn, and turbidity were determined to be a dosage of 0.4 g/L, a contact time of 60 min, and a stirring speed of 250 rpm. Under optimal conditions, the composite demonstrated a significant removal efficiency for Fe (96.12%), Mn (98.78%), turbidity (87.02%), TSS (93.49%), and COD (59.27%), along with an increase in pH from 5.38 to 7.66. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm is the appropriate adsorption model to reduce Fe, Mn and turbidity. Activated carbon/NiFe2O4 composite exhibits significant potential for applications in clean water provision.