Three activated carbons (ACs) obtained from wood and activated either by steam (AC1) or phosphoric acid (AC2, AC3) were characterized via nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, zeta potentials, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, as well as their chemical analysis was determined. Adsorption experiments with Pemetrexed (PEME), a pharmaceutical used for the treatment of tumors, were carried out in which adsorbent doses, contact times, temperatures, and solution pH were investigated. Correlation between the physicochemical properties of ACs and the adsorption capacity was proposed.

According to the results, it was found that AC1 and AC3 were better described by the Freundlich and Langmuir models, respectively, whereas both models could be used to fit the adsorptive isotherm of AC2. The higher the initial PEME concentration or the temperature, the higher the adsorption capacity was. The adsorption capacities of the adsorbents were in the following order, AC3 > AC2 > AC1, in agreement with their specific surface areas. A coexistence process of physical and chemical adsorption existed in all ACs as predicted by the best fitting obtained with the Dubinin–Radushkevich, pseudo–second–order kinetic and Elovich models.

The adsorption mechanisms were researched using the Conductor–like Screening Model methodology to determine the proton donor and acceptor centres in PEME. As main conclusion, supported by DRIFTS analysis and O/C ratios, AC3 and AC2 containing more oxygenated groups, must adsorb PEME onto their surface according to a monolayer adsorption mechanism. Fitting procedure demonstrated that the equilibrium data obtained with these two materials can be fitted to the Langmuir isotherm.

通过氮吸附-解吸等温线，Zeta电位，红外和拉曼光谱法表征了从木材中获得的并由蒸汽（AC1）或磷酸（AC2，AC3）活化的三种活性炭（AC），并确定了它们的化学分析。进行了Pemetrexed（PEME）（一种用于治疗肿瘤的药物）的吸附实验，其中研究了吸附剂的剂量，接触时间，温度和溶液pH值。提出了ACs的理化性质与吸附容量之间的关系。

根据结果​​，发现Freundlich和Langmuir模型分别更好地描述了AC1和AC3，而这两种模型都可以用来拟合AC2的吸附等温线。初始PEME浓度或温度越高，吸附能力越高。吸附剂的吸附容量按其比表面积的顺序依次为AC3> AC2> AC1。根据杜宾宁-拉杜什凯维奇模型，拟二级动力学模型和埃洛维奇模型的最佳拟合预测，所有AC中都存在物理和化学吸附的共存过程。

使用类似导体的筛选模型方法研究了吸附机理，以确定PEME中的质子供体和受体中心。作为主要结论，在DRIFTS分析和O / C比的支持下，包含更多氧化基团的AC3和AC2必须根据单层吸附机理将PEME吸附到其表面上。拟合过程表明，用这两种材料获得的平衡数据可以拟合到Langmuir等温线。