South African Journal of Chemical Engineering (Jan 2024)
Bio-adsorbent for Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dye
Abstract
Industrial activities generate a significant problem in the form of dye waste, which contributes to environmental pollution, particularly water pollution. Improper disposal of untreated dye waste can lead to detrimental effects on ecosystems, the environment, and living organisms. To mitigate these issues, various methods such as biological treatment, chemical oxidation, flocculation-coagulation, and adsorption are employed to remove or reduce dye and other pollutants from wastewater. Among these methods, adsorption has proven to be a cost-effective and straightforward approach for the removal of pollutants, particularly dye waste, from water. While activated carbon is commonly used as an adsorbent in the industry, it has drawbacks such as high cost and difficulty in regeneration, especially in the form of powdered activated carbon. Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) is a specific dye extensively utilized in the textile industry. It belongs to the category of reactive dyes that are challenging to degrade and pose toxicity risks to aquatic ecosystems. The use of bio-adsorbents in dye removal offers advantages such as low cost, easy availability and production, as well as the ability to be regenerated. When utilizing activated carbon derived from bio-materials, RBBR removal rates of 88.51% have been achieved. The agricultural waste powder as an adsorbent yields a removal rate of 90.82%, while non-conventional bio-adsorbents exhibit a removal rate of 90.50%. This review aims to compile information on bio-adsorbents and their effectiveness in adsorbing RBBR, shedding light on their potential for addressing dye waste pollution.