Removal of deltamethrin insecticide over highly porous activated carbon prepared from pistachio nutshells

Potassium hydroxide-activated carbons (CK21, CK11, and CK12) were prepared from pistachio nutshells. Physicochemical properties of activated carbons were characterized by TGA, $pH_pzc$, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and $N_2$-adsorption at $-196^\circC$. The examinations showed that activated carbons have high surface area ranging between 695-1218 $m^2/g$, total pore volume ranging between 0.527-0.772 mL/g, and a pore radius around 1.4 nm. The presence of acidic and basic surface C-O groups was confirmed. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to study the effects of adsorbent dosage, temperature, initial concentration of adsorbate, and contact time on deltamethrin adsorption by activated carbons. The kinetic studies showed that the adsorption data followed a pseudo-second order kinetic model. The Langmuir model showed a maximum adsorption capacity of 162.6 mg/g at $35^\circC$ on CK12. Thermodynamic studies indicated that adsorption was spontaneous and increased with temperature, suggesting an endothermic process.