Production of activated carbon from spent coffee grounds (SCG) for removal of hexavalent chromium from synthetic wastewater solutions

In this research, spent coffee grounds (SCG) are converted into a highly valuable porous adsorbent which removes chromium (VI) from wastewater with high efficiency. A set of nine Spent Coffee Ground Activated Carbon (SCG-AC) adsorbent samples were synthesized, by varying key parameters including pyrolysis temperature (400, 600 °C), pyrolysis duration (1 and 2 h), and the impregnation ratio of the activating agent, KOH (ranging from 0:1 to 2:1). Characterizations of these adsorbent samples were conducted by advanced analytical tools including SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and BET. Furthermore, we carried out adsorption studies, exploring the effects of temperature and dosage variations. Additionally, point zero charge experiments and desorption studies were carried out to further understand the adsorption process. The outcomes of our investigation demonstrate the successful synthesis of these spent coffee ground-derived adsorbents, with a yield of up to 34%. Notably, these adsorbents exhibited high efficiency in extracting chromium (VI) from water, with removal efficiencies ranging from 75% to 100%. The adsorption isotherms revealed the Langmuir model to be the most fitting descriptor of the adsorption behavior. Moreover, a thermodynamics study revealed the process to be endothermic in nature which furthers our understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Importantly, our cost assessment shows the economic advantage of the synthesized adsorbent over commercial counterparts such as zeolite, making it a competitive choice for real-world applications. In summation, the study not only introduces an innovative and sustainable utilization of spent coffee grounds but also delivers an in-depth exploration of the synthesized adsorbent's ability in chromium (VI) removal. Our holistic approach, encompassing thorough experimentation, characterization, and economic evaluation, solidifies the significance of this research in tackling environmental concerns and propelling advancements in wastewater treatment methodologies.