Spectroscopic Studies on Interaction of Congo Red with Ferric Chloride in Aqueous Medium for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Absorption spectroscopic studies of Congo red (CR) in interaction with FeCl₃ in aqueous medium have been reported in this article. The interaction of CR with FeCl₃ has been investigated with an aim to explore a possible low cost and efficient way to remove CR from industrial waste water. The removal mechanism is based on the formation of a complex of iron with anionic part of the CR molecule in interaction with FeCl₃. An exceptionally high removal rate of 2670 mg/g has been observed at 100 mg/L initial CR concentration and enhanced removal rate was found with increasing initial CR concentration.

Keywords:

• absorption spectroscopy
• water treatment
• dye

Additional information

Funding

One of the authors (B. Saha) acknowledges the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India for financial support (Grants order No. SERB/F/7430/2013-14) under the Fast Track Young Scientist award scheme.