Removal of Gentian Violet by activated carbon from mango kernel shells (Adams)

Abstract

This study aims to Gentian Violet (G.V) removal using activated carbon (AC). The AC was obtained by chemical activation of mango kernel shells (Adams) with potassium hydroxide (AC-BK), at 600°C and for 2h. AC-BK has been characterized by physico-chemical analyses such as: specific surface area, zero charge point pH, surface functions and morphology. With a specific surface area of 534 m2.g-1, AC-BK was used to remove Gentian Violet (G.V) in batch mode and under magnetic stirrer at 150 rpm. Thus, the effect of contact time, initial concentration, pH and temperature of the reaction medium was studied. The maximum abatement rate for G.V was 96.5 % at temperature of 25 °C and pH = 6. Among the models discussed, the Freundlich model seems to better reflect the elimination of G.V. by AC-BK with a coefficient of determination very close to 1 (R2 > 0.99). In addition, this reaction is well fitted by pseudo-second order kinetics with a regression coefficient of 0.99. The adsorption of G.V by AC-BK is characterized by a multilayer on the surface of the AC. These results suggest that AC-BK was effective in removing of G.V with a maximum adsorption capacity of 160. 10 mg.g-1 and could therefore be tested for the remediation of dye-laden industrial effluents.

Keywords

• adsorption
• activated carbons
• gentian violet
• mango kernel shells