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Coconut Shell Activated Carbon as a Sustainable Adsorbent for Gold Recovery from Aqueous Leaching Solutions: A Review Heri Heriyanto; Nufus Kanani; Hendrini Pujiastuti; Rusdi Rusdi
World Chemical Engineering Journal VOLUME 10 NO. 1 JUNE 2026
Publisher : Chemical Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty, Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.62870/wcej.v1i1.40169

Abstract

Gold recovery from dilute hydrometallurgical process liquors has become a strategic priority within circular-economy resource management and responsible precious-metal stewardship. Activated carbon dominates gold capture in industrial circuits, particularly in alkaline cyanide systems where the anionic dicyanoaurate complex, Au(CN)₂⁻, is the principal dissolved species; however, economic constraints and sustainability pressures have stimulated growing interest in biomass-derived alternatives. This review critically synthesizes the evidence base for coconut shell activated carbon as a sustainable, high-performance adsorbent for gold recovery from aqueous leaching media, encompassing feedstock selection, activation pathways, pore architecture, adsorption mechanisms, solution speciation in cyanide and cyanide-free systems, and kinetic and equilibrium modelling. The literature demonstrates that gold removal efficiencies of 87–89% are attainable under optimized cyanide-leachate conditions — alkaline pH, gentle agitation, 1.25 g/L adsorbent dose, and approximately 3 h contact — compatible with real processing environments. Feedstock maturity and activation protocol decisively govern adsorption rate, loading capacity, and mechanical integrity, confirming that material quality must be actively engineered. Equilibrium behaviour conforms to the Freundlich isotherm, reflecting energetically heterogeneous surface sites, while kinetics follow pseudo-first-order dynamics with intraparticle diffusion as a co-limiting resistance. Coconut shell activated carbon holds genuine promise as a low-cost, environmentally responsible adsorbent, contingent on deliberate optimization of pore structure, surface chemistry, elution efficiency, regeneration durability, and real-leachate selectivity.
Co-Authors Abdillah Abdillah Ade Rahmat Adiyudha Permana Afif Ardiansyah Ahmad Syah Putra Ainur Rachman Aisah Amini Alya Yukha Winona Anang Qosim Andree Putra Yanni Andri Sjahputra Andrio Turmenda Putra Aniswita Anita Ulpa Ashadi Cahyadi Asmutiar Asmutiar Azhar Ramadhana Azzahra Shafa Salsabila Darmawanto Darmawanto Darul Darul Delvia Rahmi Putri Deni Septriadi Devi Yanti Devy Puspita Dhede Febrian Dian Purnamasari Dina Alwiyah Eko Rianto Endarto Yudo Wardhono Ferry Ramadhan Fikal Setiawan Fitri Ziqrika Rizki Haida Fitri Hamirul Hamirul Haroki Madani Hendrini Pujiastuti Heri Heriyanto Heri Heriyanto Heri Rustanto, Heri Idwika Putri Ika Devi Pramudiana Ilham Surya Fallo Indar Kustiningsih Isnaniah Isnaniah Iza Sapitri Kaharuddin Kasim M Arif Riski M. Imamuddin Maspi Yendra Mia Aprilia Mira Fuzita, Mira Muhammad Habibi Muhammad Ihsan Muhammad Rizal Saragih Muhammad Rizal Saragih Muhammad Sabransyah Muhammad Wisnu Dwi Anggara Muhammad Yusuf Z Mukhamad Ishak Nawawi Nufus Kanani Nufus Kanani Nur Annisa Afifah Nur Arfiyah Febriani Nursyifa Azzura Pipit Firmanti Rafadli Deas Ratna Yuliawati Reci Stevany Revi Febriani Rio Wardhani Rosmiaty Arief Rudi Hartono Sania Hidayah Santri Mutia Sasmita Rusnaini Sindi Fatika Sari Siti Halimah Sovi Apriillia Mardia Sri Kamariyah SRI RAHAYU Stephani Yane Suriani Sari Syafwandi Syafwandi Tejja Ari Putma Tiara Armelia Tiara Pujasutra Ummiani Hatta Virda Putri Kumalasari Vita Pramaningsih Walsen Duli Agus Lauh Wardalia Wardalia Widya Pratiwi Wildan Seni, Wildan Winda Sarnika Windi Astuti Wisnu Adi Prasetyo Z. Arifin