Utilization of unconventional lignocellulosic waste biomass for the biosorption of toxic triphenylmethane dye malachite green from aqueous solution

ABSTRACT

Biosorption potential of novel lignocellulosic biosorbents Musa sp. peel (MSP) and Aegle marmelos shell (AMS) was investigated for the removal of toxic triphenylmethane dye malachite green (MG), from aqueous solution. Batch experiments were performed to study the biosorption characteristics of malachite green onto lignocellulosic biosorbents as a function of initial solution pH, initial malachite green concentration, biosorbents dosage, and temperature. Biosorption equilibrium data were fitted to two and three parameters isotherm models. Three-parameter isotherm models better described the equilibrium data. The maximum monolayer biosorption capacities obtained using the Langmuir model for MG removal using MSP and AMS was 47.61 and 18.86 mg/g, respectively. The biosorption kinetic data were analyzed using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion models. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model best fitted the experimental data, indicated the MG biosorption using MSP and AMS as chemisorption process. The removal of MG using AMS was found as highly dependent on the process temperature. The removal efficiency of MG showed declined effect at the higher concentrations of NaCl and CaCl₂. The regeneration test of the biosorbents toward MG removal was successful up to three cycles.

KEYWORDS:

• Aegle marmelos shell
• biosorption isotherm models
• biosorption
• malachite green
• Musa sp. peel

Acknowledgments

The financial support from the Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India vide Grant no. PDF/2016/000284 is gratefully acknowledged. The authors are thankful to the National Institute of Technology Rourkela for providing the research facility.

Funding

Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (PDF/2016/000284)