Arsenic removal by iron-doped activated carbons prepared by ferric chloride forced hydrolysis

The AC obtained after 6 h of ferric chloride forced hydrolysis removed 94% of the arsenic present in a groundwater from the State of Chihuahua (Mexico), whereas the commercial AC used as precursor allowed the removal of only 14%. The lower performance in arsenic removal observed for AC prepared using long forced hydrolysis time (24 h) is probably due to the existence of iron (hydr)oxides nanoparticles agglomerates, which once hydrated could prevent diffusion of arsenate (HAsO4−) towards the inner surface of the AC grain.