The Application of Activated Carbon Impregnated Hydrogels for Water Purification

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of utilizing activated carbon impregnated hydrogel(ACIH) as an innovative solution for water purification. The researchevaluates the adsorption capacity, filtration efficiency, and reusability of ACIH, with a focus on contaminants such as turbidity,BOD, and COD in kitchen drainage water. Synthesized using chitosan and activated carbon from tamarind shells, ACIH demonstrated significant improvements in water quality parameters. Findings suggest that ACIH offers a cost-effective, sustainable, and highly efficient alternative for decentralized water treatment

Introduction

Water pollution remains a global issue, with conventional purification methods often ineffective against a wide range of contaminants. This study introduces a novel Activated Carbon-Impregnated Hydrogel (ACIH)—combining the high adsorption ability of activated carbon (from tamarind shells) with the structural and filtering properties of chitosan-based hydrogel—to improve water treatment efficiency.

Objectives:

1. Synthesize and design a new ACIH material.

2. Evaluate its pollutant adsorption capacity.

3. Assess water quality improvements post-treatment.

4. Compare with other waste-derived materials.

5. Enhance material feasibility and sustainability.

Materials & Methods:

• Hydrogel Composition: Chitosan + activated carbon + crosslinker.

• Water Source: Kitchen drainage water.

• Variables: Hydrogel thickness (3 cm, 6 cm, 9 cm), activated carbon dosage.

• Procedure: Filtration tests were conducted to analyze reductions in turbidity, BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), and the hydrogel’s reusability was evaluated.

Key Results:

• Turbidity: Reduced from 61 NTU to 8 NTU.

• BOD: Reduced from 33 mg/L to 15 mg/L.

• Optimal Setup: 6 cm thick hydrogel with 1.5 g activated carbon.

• Reusability: Effective over multiple treatment cycles with minimal performance loss.

Conclusion

The present study aimed at the development, application, and performance evaluation of activated carbon impregnated hydrogel (ACIH) for water purification, particularly focusing on its capability to treat kitchen drainage water. Through extensive experimentation and testing, the results have clearly demonstrated the efficacy of this composite material in removing a wide range of contaminants, including physical impurities, chemical toxins, and microbial elements. By leveraging the superior adsorption properties of activated carbon and the water-retentive, porous structure of hydrogel, the material showcased its potential as a highly effective, reusable, and sustainable option for modern water purification needs. From a methodological standpoint, the process included sample collection from kitchen drainage, hydrogel preparation, activated carbon impregnation, and performance testing through both batch and filtration modes. The hydrogel was tested under different conditions, including variations in thickness and activated carbon dosage, to identify the optimal configuration. A 6 cm thickness was found ideal, balancing flow rate and adsorption efficiency. Dosage experiments revealed 1.5 g of activated carbon as the optimum amount for maximal BOD and COD reduction without compromising flow. The material also allowed for easy regeneration, enabling reusability over multiple cycles, further strengthening its sustainability credentials.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Ms. Sudhanya KS, Fahiz CK, Mohammed Shahir KK, Shinos KV, Fawaz CP. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.