Metformin adsorption onto activated carbon prepared by acid activation and carbonization of orange peel

Acid modification of orange peels (OPAC); an agro-waste, using ortho-phosphoric acid was carried out. OPAC was characterized using FTIR and SEM, BET and elemental Analysis techniques respectively. It was then used for the adsorption of metformin (MET) from aqueous solutions. OPAC has different functional groups and prominent pore sizes suitable for the sorption of MET. Experimental parameters such as effects of contact time, MET initial concentrations, solution temperature and solution pH were investigated. Optimum MET adsorption onto OPAC was obtained at a contact time: of 240 minutes, Initial MET concentration: 5 mg/L, Temperature: 323 K, and pH 7. The highest percentage of MET removal using OPAC was 97.23%. Sorption data were fitted into four different isotherm models; Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich. Freundlich isotherm model best explained the sorption data with the high affinity of adsorption (R² value) observed at 303 K. Langmuir isotherm gives an optimum monolayer sorption capacity of 50.99 mg/g at 323 K. Kinetic studies of the sorption process were investigated using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and Intraparticle diffusion kinetic models, and the data fitted best the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the sorption process is spontaneous, feasible, and endothermic. The energy of activation, E suggests a physisorption mechanism of MET sorption onto OPAC. Conclusively, OPAC was an efficient adsorbent for the sorption of MET from aqueous solutions. NOVELTY STATEMENT Orange peel activated carbon (OPAC) adsorbent gave a higher q value for metformin removal from aqueous solution than other adsorbents previously reported in the literature.The highest percentage of removal of metformin drug-using OPAC was 97.23%. This is highly commendable.