TITLE:
Removal of Lead (II) Metal Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Modified Kennan’s Sugarcane Bagasse Activated Carbon Combined with Natural Zeolite
AUTHORS:
Mutasim Elhussien, Mawia Hassan, Safa Sulieman
KEYWORDS:
Kennan’s Sugarcane Baggase (KSB), Activated Carbon, Natural Zeolite, Lead Adsorption, Isotherm Modeling, Water Treatment
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.7,
July
30,
2026
ABSTRACT: This work presents a systematic comparative evaluation of sugarcane bagasse-derived activated carbons from Kennana Sugar Company—Sudan, chemically activated using KOH and H3PO4 and composited with natural zeolite, for the adsorption of Pb(II) ions from aqueous media. The adsorption process exhibited optimal performance under mildly acidic conditions (pH 5.0 - 6.0). Equilibrium data were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, with both models showing strong agreement with experimental results; however, the Langmuir model provided the most accurate representation, indicating predominantly monolayer adsorption. Freundlich analysis further suggested that Pb(II) uptake on both composites is governed mainly by a physisorption mechanism. The adsorbents demonstrated high affinity toward Pb(II) ions, with maximum monolayer adsorption capacities of 588.24 mg g−1 for AC (KSCB)KOH-zeolite and 161.29 mg g−1 for AC (KSCB)H3PO4-zeolite, as determined from Langmuir isotherms. Corresponding Langmuir affinity constants (KL) were 138.77 and 92.39, respectively, confirming stronger Pb(II) -adsorbent interactions for the KOH-activated composite. Overall, the carbonized AC (KSCB)KOH-natural zeolite composite exhibited markedly enhanced adsorption performance compared to its H3PO4-activated counterpart, underscoring its potential as a cost-effective and sustainable material for efficient lead remediation in water treatment applications.