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Background Methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE), an anti‐knocking reagent emitted from incomplete gasoline combustion can affect human health. Bagasse activated carbon (AC) was modified by H2SO4, KOH, CaCl2/HCl and HNO3 to increase surface area and surface functional groups which led to enhance MTBE adsorption. Results The results showed maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of MTBE by bagasse AC modified by H2SO4 was the highest (989.33 mg g−1), while the lowest was bagasse AC modified by HNO3 (463.82 mg g−1). Not much difference was shown to the surface area and micropore volume of the different modified materials. Therefore, the surface functional groups on the different modified materials played an important role in MTBE adsorption. H2SO4 modified bagasse AC had a higher maximum adsorption capacity than a commercial AC (CGC12) (560.48 mg g−1), which might be due to the presence of higher ester (CO), carbonyl (CO) and CH stretching groups than commercial AC and other modified bagasse ACs. Conclusion Surface functional groups of adsorbents play an important role in MTBE adsorption. Consequently, it will be possible to enhance MTBE removal by increasing ester (CO), carbonyl (CO) and CH groups on the material's surface. These functional groups are directly involved in MTBE adsorption. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

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