Recent Advances in Activated Carbon Applications for Water Treatment

Abstract

Activated carbon has long been recognized as one of the most effective adsorbents for water purification due to its high specific surface area, adjustable pore structure, and rich surface functional groups. In recent years, it has been widely applied in the removal of organic dyes, heavy metal ions, and emerging pollutants from wastewater, showing strong adsorption capacity and good regeneration potential. This paper systematically reviews the adsorption mechanisms of activated carbon, including physical adsorption, electrostatic interaction, ion exchange, and π–π stacking effects, and highlights how factors such as pore size distribution, surface chemistry, and functional modification influence adsorption efficiency. Special attention is given to modification strategies, such as chemical activation, surface oxidation, and composite material synthesis, which have been proven to enhance removal performance and extend service life. At the same time, the economic cost and environmental sustainability of activated carbon preparation and regeneration are analyzed, with a focus on challenges such as resource consumption and secondary pollution. Current applications still face shortcomings in achieving high efficiency at low cost, large-scale regeneration, and environmentally friendly disposal. Future research should therefore prioritize the development of green preparation technologies, synergistic adsorption–catalysis processes, and sustainable regeneration methods, providing theoretical and practical references for the optimized application of activated carbon in water treatment systems.