Structure and adsorption properties of sewage sludge-derived carbon with removal of inorganic impurities and high porosity

- Purified sludge carbon (PSC) with removal of inorganic fractions is obtained.
- Structure and properties of sludge carbon (SC) and PSC are compared.
- Removed impurities are acted as a natural template.
- More hierarchical pores and oxygen-containing groups are formed in PSC.
- PSC as an inexpensive carbon is superior to SC for rhodamine B and phenol adsorption.