The adsorption of paracetamol by activated carbons and its subsequent release

The adsorption by and release of paracetamol from activated carbon(AC) with different pore structures and surface chemical properties were studied.The pore structure,specific surface area,surface chemical properties and pH at the point of zero charge of the AC were tested with N_(2) adsorption,Boehm titration and mass titration respectively.An AC with high specific surface area,and abundant mesopores ranging between 2 and(11 nm),exhibited excellent adsorption performance to paracetamol.Its adsorption capacity was 358 mg/g,and its total release rate was 7 % in 12 h.The adsorption capacity of an AC with wider pore size distribution was(281 mg/g) and its total release rate reached 27 % in 12 h.The paracetamol adsorption capacity was higher on the AC which had a higher content of surface oxygen groups and exhibited an acidic character.