Efficient Mg-Doped Porous Carbon Derived from Petroleum Coke for Removing Heavy Metal Ions from Wastewater

Water pollution caused by addition of heavy metal ions resulting from the industrial activities is increasing tremendously and becomes one of the top hottest environmental issues in the entire world. This research focuses on developing an effective adsorption process for treatment of heavy metals-contaminated wastewater. Mg-doped porous carbon was prepared by impregnating Mg onto KOH-activated petroleum coke at a mass ratio of 2, after conducting the KOH activation at 450 °C. The removal of Cd(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) by the prepared Mg-doped porous carbon was studied depending on initial concentration, pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage and temperature dependent. The removal performance and the selectivity sequence of four mixed heavy metal ions in aqueous solution were also investigated for applying to real industrial wastewater. The adsorption parameters for removing different heavy metal ions were determined using both isotherm and kinetic models. A mechanism for treatment of four mixed heavy metal ions was also investigated. The Mg-doped porous carbon derived from petroleum coke is cost-effective and efficient, and therefore it can be an alternative, practical and promising material for the treatment of wastewater.