摘要：Heavy metals in water-bodies are one of the serious environmental problems in many communities. In this study, the potential of activated carbon derived from scrap tires was investigated for adsorption of lead metal cations (Pb2+) from aqueous solutions. Activated carbon was prepared from scrap vehicle tires using a thermo-chemical activation method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET and BJH analyses were used to characterize the prepared activated carbon. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to determine the effects of initial concentration of the ions, pH, contact time and adsorbent dosage. Adsorption isotherms of the metal ions on the adsorbent were measured and correlated with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The predominant component of prepared activated carbon is carbon (76.481%) with 185.046 m2/g surface area and an average pore diameter of 52 nm. The results showed that there was a decrease in removal of Pb2+ with increasing contact time, adsorbent dosage and pH. Experimental adsorption data were best fitted by Freundlich model. In view of the findings, it can be claimed that the production of the activated carbon from scrap tires can provide a green and cost-effective method for heavy metals removal.
