![Sample our Physical Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110819/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Physical-Sciences.jpg"})
Abstract
Removal of malachite green on phosphoric acid treated (PWC) and sulfuric acid treated (SWC) parthenium plant biomass was studied. Batch experiments were conducted to study the effect of different process parameters, i.e., pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial dye concentration for the removal of malachite green dye. Similar experiments were carried out with commercially available activated carbon (AC) to compare the adsorption capacities. Maximum dye was removed from the liquid phase within 90 min after the beginning of every experiment. Higher percentage of dye was removed at lower concentration of dye and higher adsorbent dose. At 250 mg L−1 malachite green concentration, AC had 2.01 and 2.63 times more adsorption capacity than PWC and SWC, respectively. Adsorption kinetic data determined at 22° ± 1°C were modeled using the pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic equations and intra-particle diffusion models. The pseudo-second-order model best describes adsorption kinetic data. Adsorption follows both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. By considering the experimental results and adsorption models applied in this study, it was concluded that equilibrium data were represented well by the Langmuir isotherm equation. SEMs of the native and exhausted SWC and PWC were recorded to explore the morphology of the adsorbent. The result showed that SWC and PWC can be considered as potential adsorbents for malachite green removal from dilute aqueous solutions.