KOH-activated carbon from Aframomum angustifolium fruit shells for caffeine removal from aqueous solution
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Date
2025-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
This study reports on the preparation of activated carbon using Aframomum angustifolium fruit shells (FPAA) and its
application for the removal of caffeine from aqueous solution. The activated carbon was prepared using KOH activation in
a 1:2 ratio, followed by pyrolysis at 500 °C for 1 h. The activated carbon (AC-K) was characterized using the point of zero
charge of potential of hydrogen (pHpzc), N2 adsorption–desorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy–energy-dis-
persive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
The surface of AC-K exhibited a mesoporous structure with an increased BET surface area from 335 to 407.6 m2/g. The
classical method and response surface methodology (RSM) using Box–Bohnken design (BBD) were used to optimize the
performance of AC-K to remove caeine from aqueous solutions. The results indicated that the adsorption aligned best
with the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.996 and RMSE = 0.3531), indicating the formation of a monolayer film. In addition, the
adsorption was described by the pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.995 and RMSE = 0.017). The highest caffeine removal
eciencies were 78.67 and 90.40% as determined using classical and BBD methods, respectively. Therefore, the prepara-
tion and use of an eco-friendly and previously unexplored precursor for activated carbon preparation is demonstrated in
the current study. This study contributes to sustainable waste valorization while oering a promising alternative material
for the removal of emerging contaminants such as caffeine from water systems.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Aframomum angustifolium, Fruit shells, Activated carbon, Caffeine