Mahogany fruit shell: a new low-cost adsorbent for removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions

Abstract

In the present study, we have introduced a new effective and economical adsorbent, Mahogany fruit shell. This adsorbent has porous nature and essential active groups are present on their surfaces which enhance its capability of adsorption. Developed adsorbent was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, etc. techniques which also support to confirm successful adsorption. In the present study, batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of pH, contact period, dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, etc. for maximum removal of methylene blue, a basic dye from aqueous solution. Mahogany fruit shell adsorbent had succeeded to remove basic dye up to 99.05% at pH 9. The experimental data are fitted well to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Thermodynamic parameters such as (ΔG°), (ΔH°), and (ΔS°) were calculated, which indicated that the adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The Mahogany fruit shell had showed great adsorption capacity to remove the methylene blue.

Keywords:

• Adsorption
• Mahogany fruit shell
• Kinetic
• Isotherm
• FTIR study

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the DST-FIST, UGC-SAP facilities, Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur and Balwant College, Vita, India.