A novel adsorbent of three-dimensional ordered macro/mesoporous carbon for removal of malachite green dye

Three-dimensional ordered macro/mesoporous carbon (3DOM/m-C) with high specific surface area was synthesized by colloid crystal template method with chemical activation by KOH and used as the adsorbent for removing malachite green (MG) in aqueous solution. The microstructures of the adsorbents were characterized by FESEM, TEM and BET, and the effects of initial dye concentration, contact time, solution pH, and temperature on adsorption performance were investigated. The results show that the 3DOM/m-C exhibits extremely high adsorption capacity of 3541.1 mg/g within 2 h, which could be attributed to the novel ordered hierarchical structure with mesopores on three-dimensional ordered macroporous carbon walls. And the adsorption behavior conforms to the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir adsorption isotherm. 3DOM/m-C can be recycled after being desorbed by absolute ethanol, and still maintains a high capacity of 2762.06 mg/g after 5 cycles.