Malays. J. Anal. Sci. Volume 29 Number 5 (2025): 1563

Research Article

Scavenging aspirin using optimised date seeds based activated carbon via response surface methodology: Batch isotherm and bed column analysis

Md Mamoon Rashid, Erniza Mohd Johan Jaya, and Mohd Azmier Ahmad^*

School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia

^*Corresponding author: chazmier@usm.my

Received: 6 May 2025; Revised: 4 August 2025; Accepted: 7 August 2025; Published: 31 October 2025

Abstract

Aspirin (ASP), which is commonly found in aquatic environments, presents notable risks to both ecosystems and human health. This investigation focuses on using an innovative adsorbent derived from date seeds, known as DSAC, to efficiently eliminate ASP from water. The preparation process was refined through response surface methodology (RSM), identifying ideal conditions at an activation time of 2.29 min, an activation power of 489 W, and a potassium hydroxide (KOH) impregnation ratio (IR) level of 1.63 g/g. Under these conditions, ASP removal was predicted at 76.58%, closely matched by an experimental value of 80.94%, with a minor deviation of 5.39%. The DSAC yield forecast was 26.22%, while the actual value reached 24.34%, marking a 7.72% difference. Analytical tests confirmed the suitability of DSAC, with a high BET surface area (BET-SA) of 1163.44 m²/g, a mesoporous surface area (MESO-SA) of 852.71 m²/g, a total pore volume (TPV) of 0.4899 cm³/g, and an average pore diameter (APD) of 2.94 nm. Isotherm analysis revealed that the adsorption system was best described by Langmuir, with a maximum uptake, Q_m of 43.57 mg/g. In continuous column trials, optimal performance was observed when using a flow rate of 10 mL/min, an ASP concentration of 10 mg/L, and a column depth of 8 cm. These settings produced the longest durations before breakthrough and complete saturation, indicating superior adsorption performance. The findings highlight DSAC as a viable and environmentally friendly solution for treating pharmaceutical contaminants in water using fixed-bed systems.

Keywords: Activated carbon, adsorption, date seed, optimisation, isotherm, bed column

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