Effect of microstructure and surface chemistry in liquid-phase adsorptive nicotine by almond-shell-based activated carbon

The effect of microstructure and surface chemistry on nicotine adsorption capacity of almond-shell-based activated carbon was studied. Almond-shell-based activated carbon was reactivated or modified with steam, ZnCl₂ and NaHSO₄ separately. The surface area and pore structure parameters of activated carbon were determined from the adsorption-desorption isotherm of nitrogen at 77 K. Boehm titration and FTIR were explored to determine the surface oxygen groups. The results revealed that nicotine adsorption from solution on carbons depend on the micropores and phenolic groups. A strong correlation between the amounts of adsorbed nicotine and the phenolic groups was observed, whereas the higher amounts of carboxylic groups decrease the nicotine adsorption capacity on activated carbons.