Physical activation of carbon residue from biomass gasification: Novel sorbent for the removal of phosphates and nitrates from aqueous solution

Abstract Carbon residue obtained as a by-product from wood gasification process was employed as a precursor for preparing adsorbent by physical activation. Adsorbent with BET surface area 590 m 2  g −1 and pore volume of 0.335 cm 3  g −1 was prepared and used as an adsorbent for phosphate and nitrate removal. The optimal pH and initial concentrations for phosphate and nitrate removal were determined. The kinetics showed that the adsorption data followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The isotherm analysis indicated that the adsorption data can be represented by the Langmuir model. Results showed that activated carbon residue is suitable adsorbent for phosphate removal.