High performance adsorptive removal of N-nitrosodiphenylamine from aqueous solutions by jute stick–derived activated carbon: characteristics, isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic, and reusability studies

N-Nitrosodiphenylamine (NDPhA) is one of the most toxic water-soluble nitrosamines. Human exposure to NDPhA can induce several health effects upon exposure to, even a low dose for a long period. The removal of NDPhA from aqueous samples using an available and inexpensive adsorbent is a challenge. In this work, homemade activated carbon from a jute stick biomass was applied for almost 100% removal of NDPhA from aqueous samples. The effect of solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and adsorbate concentration have been studied and optimized. The maximum adsorption capacity was of 219.4 mg/g. The adsorption isotherm experimental results fit the Langmuir model, and the adsorption mechanisms’ process follows the pseudo-second order kinetics. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters were calculated, and it has been found that the adsorption of NDPhA on the prepared adsorbent is thermodynamically favorable, spontaneous, endothermic, and dominated by physisorption interaction. The prepared adsorbent shows excellent affinity to the NDPhA molecules. The prepared adsorbent has a superior capability to remove around 97% of NDPhA molecules in a short period of time (45 min) from synthetic wastewater contaminated by NDPhA. Moreover, the prepared adsorbent was easily regenerated and reused for at least four times in wastewater to remove the highly toxic and carcinogenic NDPhA compound. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]