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Activated Carbon Adsorption: A Comprehensive Review of Fundamental Principles, Pollutant Removal, and Emerging Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications | ||
| Al-Zahraa Journal for Health and Medical Sciences | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 19 August 2026 | ||
| Document Type: Review Article | ||
| DOI: 10.66723/zjhms.2026.173006.1168 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Ishrak Khalil Ibraheem* 1; Maha Abd alsattar Mohammmed2; Ashwak Waheeb Shaker1 | ||
| 1Medical College, Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Baghdad, Iraq | ||
| 2Department of Chemistry, College of Education for Pure Sciences (Ibn-Al-Haitham), University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Activated carbon (AC) has emerged as a key resource in environmental management, particularly in purifying polluted water and wastewater. Industrial and urban activities drive the world's increasing pollution, necessitating more effective pollutant removal technologies. This review explores adsorption theories, AC manufacturing processes, mechanisms, and its widespread environmental applications, primarily in water treatment. Due to its porous structure and high surface area, AC effectively removes diverse pollutants, including organic contaminants, heavy metals, and microplastics. Because standard filtration sometimes fails to meet high water quality standards, focusing on adsorption methods is crucial. While alternative adsorbents like zeolites, biochar, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are being explored, AC remains the most economical and versatile option. The review discusses different AC production modes, such as physical and chemical activation, comparing their efficacy in adsorbing pollutants. Furthermore, it highlights new trends in low-energy regeneration technologies and the environmental sustainability of feedstock sources. Future research directions include optimizing AC production, hybrid materials, and sustainable applications. In addition to its established role in environmental remediation, AC has recently attracted increasing attention in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. These include the removal of pharmaceutical residues, drug overdose treatment, hemoperfusion, and advanced drug delivery systems. These emerging applications highlight the versatility of activated carbon, expanding its significance well beyond conventional water treatment technologies. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Activated carbon; Adsorption mechanisms; Water treatment; Environmental remediation; Pollution removal | ||
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