Novel activated carbon from Manihot esculenta Crantz for removal of Methylene Blue

Abstract

The adsorptive removal of Methylene Blue by a novel bio char namely Cassava Rind Carbon was studied in a batch system. Moreover, several experiments were performed to optimize operating conditions of the adsorption process. Thermo gravimetric analysis investigates the thermal behaviour of the raw material. The surface functional groups were identified with Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy. The carbon surface was also characterised by BET surface area, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and zero charge point of pH. Among the three kinetic models used to calculate the adsorption rate constants, the pseudo-second order was the most accurate. The experimental isotherms were analysed and Redlich-Peterson's model provided the best fit. The maximum capacity according to Langmuir model was 565 mg g−1 at 25 °C. The thermodynamic study revealed that the adsorption is endothermic, physical and random. The temperature, the mass of adsorbent and the concentration of dye were the three factors optimized in a Box Behnken Response Surface Methodology, with an optimal amount of adsorbed MB of 771 mg g−1.

Keywords

• Adsorption
• Manihot esculenta Crantz
• Methylene Blue
• Box Behnken