Synthesis of activated carbon from aguaje seeds (Mauritia flexuosa) for the adsorption of the N,N-dimethylamine

Activated carbons (ACs) were prepared from aguaje seeds at different impregnation ratios of $${H_{3}PO_{4}}$$H3PO4/precursor equivalent to 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5, for the adsorption of N,N-dimethylamine (DMA). The samples were characterized by $$N_2$$N2-sorption ($$S_{BET}$$SBET), X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Boehm titration, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The samples were successfully activated to obtain highly microporous surface (>95 %) with high total BET surface area ($$>$$>695 $$\mathrm{m^{2}\,g}^{-1}$$m2g-1). Common acid functional groups were determined by the Boehm titration and FTIR. The kinetic data revealed that the results were better adjusted to pseudo-second order and Elovich models. To predict the adsorption process, different isotherm models were tested. The best fit isotherm model for AC-0.5 and AC-0.75 samples was the Temkin isotherm model. Meanwhile, the Langmuir isotherm was the best fit model for AC-1.0 and AC-1.5 samples. Moreover, it was found that the adsorption of DMA was highly influenced by the surface acidity and the microporosity of the carbons.