Enhanced adsorption of chromium onto activated carbon by microwave-assisted H3PO4 mixed with Fe/Al/Mn activation.

Highlights: [•] FeCl3, AlCl3 and MnCl2 were used as the assisted activator to produce carbons. [•] Doping with MnCl2 was favorable for the enlargement of activated carbon. [•] The assisted activator had good performance for holding more fixed carbon. [•] The maximum adsorption capacities followed the order of AC-Fe>AC-Al>AC-Mn>AC. [•] The XPS analysis was used to confirm the adsorption/transformation mechanism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]