Chemical activation is known to induce specific surface features of porosity and functionality which play a definite role in enhancing the adsorptive potential of the developed activated carbons. Different conditions of temperature, time, reagent type and impregnation ratio were applied on sawdust precursor and their effect on the physical, surface chemical features and finally on the adsorption potential of the developed activated carbons were analysed. Under activation conditions of 600 degrees C, 1 hr, 1:0.5 ratio, ZnCl2 impregnated carbon (CASD_ZnCl2) resulted in microporosity while KOH impregnation (CASD_KOH) yielded a carbon having a wider pore size distribution. The surface chemistry revealed similar functionalities. At same pH, temperature and adsorbate concentrations, CASD_KOH demonstrated better adsorption potential (1.06mmoles/g for Cd2+ and 1.61mmoles/g for Ni2+) in comparison to CASD_ZnC12 (0.23mmoles/g and 0.33mmoles/g for Cd2' and Ni2+ respectively). Other features were a short equilibrium time of 60 mins and an adsorbent dose of 0.2 g/I. for the CASD_KOH in comparison to CASD_ZnCl2 (equilibrium time of 150 min and dosage of 0.5 g/1.). The nature of interactions was physical for both adsorbents and pore diffusion mechanisms were operative. The results reveal the potentiality of chemical activation so as to achieve the best physico-chemical properties suited for energy efficient, economical and eco-friendly water treatment. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.