effect of activated carbon prepared from polyurethane foam residues on removing heavy metals from ain kabisa water

This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of activated carbon prepared from polyurethane foam residues in removing heavy metals from the water of ain kubaisa in anbar governorate in western iraq. the raw material has been processed using precise chemical and thermal methods to convert it into an efficient porous carbon material with a high surface area, capable of adsorbing metal contaminants such as lead (pb), zinc (zn), iron (fe), and copper (cu). spectroscopy (uv-vis), x-ray diffraction (xrd), and scanning electron microscopy (sem) techniques were used to characterize the physical and chemical properties of samples before and after adsorption. the results showed high efficiency of manufactured materials in removing heavy metals, with removal rates exceeding 90% for some elements during relatively short contact times. the study highlights environmental and economic potential for converting industrial waste into efficient water treatment materials, opening prospects for wider applications in the fields of waste management and environmental sustainability.