The Equilibrium, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics Studies of the Sorption of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution Using Pulverized Raw Macadamia Nut Shells

Abstract

In this study, the potential for pulverized raw macadamia nut shell (MNS) for the sequestration of methylene blue from aqueous media was assessed. The sorbent was characterized using scanning electron microscopy for surface morphology, functional group analysis was performed with a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) isotherm was used for surface area elucidation. The effects of contact time, sorbent dosage, particle size, pH, and change in a solution matrix were studied. Equilibrium data were fitted using Temkin, Langmuir, and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models. The sorption kinetics was studied using the Lagergren pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion models. The feasibility of the study was established from the thermodynamic studies. A surface area of 2.763 m2/g was obtained. The equilibrium and kinetics of sorption was best described by the Langmuir and the pseudo-second-order models, respectively. The sorption process was spontaneous (−ΔG0=28.72−31.77 kJ/mol) and endothermic in nature (ΔH0=17.45 kJ/mol). The positive value of ΔS0 (0.15 kJ/molK) implies increased randomness of the sorbate molecules at the surface of the sorbent. This study presents sustainable management of wastewater using MNS as a potential low-cost sorbent for dye decontamination from aqueous solution.