Surface characterization and methylene blue adsorption studies on a mesoporous adsorbent from chemically modified Areca triandra palm shell

Abstract

Activated carbon was prepared from Areca triandra palm shell (ATPS) by chemical activation with sulphuric acid, and its application for the adsorption of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution was investigated. FTIR spectral analysis and Boehm titrations were used to examine the oxygenated surface functional groups tailored to adsorb cationic toxins from solutions, point of zero charge estimated the surface charge for electronic affinity induced by chemical treatment. BET and SEM analyses revealed mesoporous adsorbent with homogenous pores and the BET surface area is 27.3 m2/g. The influence of process parameters, namely contact time, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage and pH was evaluated by batch adsorption studies. The equilibrium adsorption data were fitted with three isotherm models, among them Langmuir isotherm model best fitted and the maximum adsorption capacity of methylene blue was found to be 312.5 mg/g. The kinetic adsorption data best fitted with pseudo-second-order kinetics out of three kinetic models tested. The thermodynamic parameters, Gibb’s free energy change (?G°), enthalpy change (?H°) and entropy change (?S°) ascertain that the adsorption is a spontaneous endothermic process with high affinity between surface and dye. The results of the present study suggest that the adsorbent prepared from ATPS is a potential adsorbent for the treatment of effluent containing cationic dyes. © 2015 Balaban Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.