Adsorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution using glucose-derived spherical activated carbon: The role of functional groups

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

2 Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Engineering

3 Duy Tan University

10.22104/aet.2026.7860.2207

Abstract

This research explores the production of spherical activated carbon derived from glucose using the combination of hydrothermal process followed by chemical impregnation with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), citric acid (CA), and acrylic acid (AA) and pyrolysis. The adsorption perfomances, kinetics, thermodynamic of synthesized materials were compared with the material without chemical impregnation using batch experiments. Boehm titration and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed an increase in oxygen-containing functional groups (carboxyl, lactone, and phenol), facilitating adsorption through electrostatic interaction, reduction, and complexation. Adsorption kinetics and isotherm modeling confirmed that the process adhered to the Elovich model and the Redlich-Peterson or Langmuir isotherm, suggesting chemisorption dominance. Among the materials tested, AA-modified activated carbon (AC-AA) exhibited the highest adsorption capacity of 244 mg/g, outperforming previously studied biochar-based adsorbents. Kinetic and thermodynamic assessments demonstrated that Cr(VI) adsorption was spontaneous (ΔG<0), endothermic (ΔH>0), and entropy-favored (ΔS>0). Notably, the study elucidates the concurrent adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) at low pH, driven by electron transfer from surface functional groups. Moreover, NaOH was identified as the most effective desorption agent, underscoring the potential for material regeneration and reuse. This research highlights the potential application of glucose-based carbon spheres with functionalized surfaces as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for Cr(VI) removal in industrial wastewater treatment.treatment.

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Advances in Environmental Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 26 April 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 23 September 2025
  • Revise Date: 24 April 2026
  • Accept Date: 26 April 2026

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