Activated Carbon from Fenugreek Seed: Characterization and Dyes Adsorption Properties

Abstract

In this study the preparation of activated carbon from agricultural product were reported. The fenugreek seeds were activated by chemical and microwave activation methods. The characterization of carbon materials were carried out using different techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Adsorption experiment was carried out for the adsorption of two different basic dyes, Methylene Blue (MB) and Crystal Violet (CV) under varying conditions such as concentration of dye, mixing time and adsorption temperature. The data acquired from concentration variation were found to fit well with Langmuir and also Freundlich isotherms. Kinetic studies revealed the fact that the system follows second order. Thermodynamic parameters like ΔH≠, ΔS≠ and ΔG≠ were calculated from the study on adsorption at different temperature. The adsorbent preparation via microwave technology is a desired methods which is resulted in conservation of energy for an efficient production of activated carbon.

Keywords

• activated carbon
• characterization
• adsorption
• kinetics
• thermodynamics