Adsorption of Rhodamine B onto O-Carboxymethylchitosan-N-Lauryl

Abstract

The adsorption of a cationic dye (rhodamine B; RB) on O-carboximethyl-N-acetylated (L-CMCh) in aqueous solution was investigated. The effect of the process parameters such as the contact time, pH, and temperature are reported. Both temperature and pH influence dye adsorption. To determine the adsorption capacity, the equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed by the Langmuir, Langmuir-Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson isotherm models. The results showed better agreement with the Langmuir-Freundlich model than the other models. The maximum adsorption capacity of RB for L-CMCh was determined as 38.5 mg g⁻¹ at pH 8.5 and 25°C. The kinetic results follow a pseudo-second-order rate equation. The activation energy value for adsorption of RB on L-CMCh was found to be 52.0 kJ mol⁻¹. The negative values of Gibbs free energy and enthalpy show the adsorption to be spontaneous and exothermic. The negative value of the enthalpy for adsorption of RB onto L-CMCh shows the adsorption to be exothermic.

Keywords:

• carboxymethylchitosan-N-acetylated
• equilibrium adsorption
• kinetic adsorption
• rhodamine B

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported by grants from CNPq, ProBIC/ProPPEC/UNIVALI.