EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE ADSORPTION OF METHYLENE BLUE DYE ONTO SULFURIC ACID–TREATED ORANGE PEEL

Abstract

The present study explains the preparation and application of sulfuric acid–treated orange peel (STOP) as a new low-cost adsorbent in the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from its aqueous solution. The effects of temperature on the operating parameters such as solution pH, adsorbent dose, initial MB dye concentration, and contact time were investigated for the removal of MB dye using STOP. The maximum adsorption of MB dye onto STOP took place in the following experimental conditions: pH of 8.0, adsorbent dose of 0.4 g, contact time of 45 min, and temperature of 30°C. The adsorption equilibrium data were tested by applying both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. It is observed that the Freundlich isotherm model fitted better than the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating multilayer adsorption, at all studied temperatures. The adsorption kinetic results showed that the pseudo-second-order model was more suitable to explain the adsorption of MB dye onto STOP. The adsorption mechanism results showed that the adsorption process was controlled by both the internal and external diffusion of MB dye molecules. The values of free energy change (ΔG o) and enthalpy change (ΔH o) indicated the spontaneous, feasible, and exothermic nature of the adsorption process. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of STOP was also compared with other low-cost adsorbents, and it was found that STOP was a better adsorbent for MB dye removal.