Sorptive removal of diamond green dye by acid treated Punica granatum peels in eco-friendly way

Abstract

In this study, acid treated Punica granatum (PG) peels were used for effective removal of Diamond green (DG) dye, commonly found in textile industry waste. Acid treatment enhanced the efficiency of this process along with increasing shelf life and stability of bio-adsorbent by reducing fungal attack risk. Optimized operational parameters for removing DG dye using PG peels powder were: 35-minute contact time, 75 rpm agitation speed, 50°C temperature and pH of 2. Isothermal study results showed that maximum dye removing capacity was 29.08 mg/g. ΔG and ΔH values were −6.384 and −0.05 kJ/mol, respectively indicating that DG dye adsorption on acid treated PG peels is spontaneous and exothermic in nature. It was found that for batch scale adsorptive removal of basic dyes like DG, acid treated Punica granatum peels were effective bio-waste that can be used from our indigenous sources in an effective way.

Novelty statement

• Acid treated Punica granatum (PG) peels were used to remove Diamond Green dye. They have shown high removing capacity due to change in structural morphology and chemical nature of biosorbent in safer and economical way.

• Effect of acid treatment PG peels was checked by FT-IR and SEM analysis.

• Physio-chemical analysis was done for analyzing its contents.

• Adsorption parameters were optimized and equilibrium data was tested with isothermal, kinetic and thermodynamical models for evaluating mechanism of biosorption and maximum removal capacity of PG peels.

Keywords:

• Punica granatum peels
• diamond green dye
• acid treatment
• biosorption

Acknowledgments

Authors are thankful to LUMS and COMSAT, Lahore (Pakistan) for characterization of biomaterial.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).