Adsorption of Furfural from Aqueous Solution onto Activated Carbon: Kinetic,Equilibrium and Thermodynamic Study

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the influence of various experimental parameters viz. initial pH (pH ₀), adsorbent dose, contact time, initial concentration and temperature on the adsorptive removal of furfural from aqueous solution by commercial grade activated carbon (ACC). Optimum conditions for furfural removal were found to be pH ₀ ≈ 5.9, adsorbent dose ≈ 10 g/l of solution and equilibrium time ≈ 6.0 h. The adsorption followed pseudo‐second‐order kinetics. The effective diffusion coefficient of furfural was of the order of 10^?13 m²/s. Furfural adsorption onto ACC was found to be best represented by the Redlich‐Peterson isotherm. A decrease in the temperature of the operation favorably influenced the adsorption of furfural onto ACC. The positive values of the change in entropy (ΔS ⁰); and the negatived value of heat of adsorption (ΔH ⁰) and change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG ⁰) indicated feasible, exothermic, and spontaneous nature of furfural adsorption onto ACC.     

Comparative studies of Oryza sativa L. husk and chitosan as lead adsorbent

The adsorption capacity of two low‐cost adsorbents, Oryza sativa L. husk and chitosan, was studied. Lead solution was used as the adsorbate. The effect of initial lead concentration, pH, temperature, weight of adsorbent, particle size and contact time on lead uptake was investigated. It was found that the isotherm data were well described by the Freundlich isotherm for both adsorbents. The adsorption capacities of rice husk and chitosan were 5.69 and 8.31 mg g^?1, respectively. It was shown that chitosan was more effective than rice husk. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Surface modification of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) leaves for the adsorption of copper ions: kinetic,thermodynamic and binding mechanisms

BACKGROUND: This research describes the adsorption of copper ions from aqueous solutions following the modification of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) leaves with formaldehyde solution. The main objectives of this research were to identify the binding mechanisms of copper ions on the chemically modified rubber leaves by spectroscopic techniques and to investigate the effects of several important physicochemical parameters such as pH, copper concentration, contact time, adsorbent dose and temperature on copper removal. RESULTS: Based on a kinetic study, the pseudo‐second‐order model was found to fit the experimental results well, while the Boyd kinetic model indicated that the rate‐determining step was due to film diffusion. Adsorption isotherms were modelled by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations, with the former providing a better fit for the data. Based on the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacities of Cu(II) ions at 300, 310 and 320 K were 8.36, 8.61 and 8.71 mg g^?1, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters such as the Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy changes (ΔS°) were calculated. The adsorption process was spontaneous as the values of ΔG° were negative, and endothermic as higher adsorption capacities were recorded at higher temperatures. More than 80% of copper ions bound on the adsorbent were able to be desorbed using 0.02 mol L^?1 HCl, HNO₃ and EDTA solutions. Besides ion exchange, surface complexation could also play a major role in copper binding. CONCLUSION: Due to its relative abundance and satisfactory adsorption capacity, the modified rubber leaves can be considered as a good low‐cost adsorbent for removing copper ions from dilute aqueous solutions. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Continuous Adsorption of a Cationic Dye on Surface Modified Rice Husk: Statistical Optimization and Dynamic Models

The continuous adsorption of a cationic dye (Methylene Blue, MB) on surface-modified rice husk was investigated. First, rice husk was submitted to ultrasound-assisted, supercritical CO₂ and NaOH treatments. The adsorbents were characterized. Then, the continuous adsorption was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM), using raw rice husk as the adsorbent. Finally, under the optimal conditions, breakthrough curves were obtained using all adsorbents and the models were used to interpret these curves. The optimal bed performance was reached at a flow rate of 5?mL?min^?1 and an initial MB concentration of 10?mg?L^?1. Under these conditions, the breakthrough time was 109?min, the length of the mass transfer zone was 20.1?cm, and the maximum capacity of the column was 1.55?mg?g^?1. All surface modifications were able to improve the rice husk characteristics in relation to the MB adsorption. Consequently, the bed performance was significantly improved when the surface-modified adsorbents were used. The breakthrough times were 109, 240, 155, and 385?min, respectively, when raw rice husk, UA–rice husk, SCO₂–rice husk, and NaOH–rice husk were used. The length of the mass transfer zone was 20.1, 7.9, 15.9, and 9.3?cm for raw rice husk, UA–rice husk, SCO₂–rice husk, and NaOH–rice husk, respectively. The dynamic models were able to fit the adsorption data and provided physically consistent parameters.     

Polymer‐grafted banana (Musa paradisiaca) stalk as an adsorbent for the removal of lead(II) and cadmium(II) ions from aqueous solutions: kinetic and equilibrium studies

This study examined the effectiveness of a new adsorbent prepared from banana (Musa paradisiaca) stalk, one of the abundantly available lignocellulosic agrowastes, in removing Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent (PGBS‐COOH) having a carboxylate functional group at its chain end was synthesized by graft copolymerization of acrylamide on to banana stalk, followed by functionalization. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of solution pH, ionic strength, contact time, metal concentration, adsorbent dose and temperature. A pH range of 5.5–8.0 was found to be effective for the maximum removal for both Pb(II) and Cd(II). Metal uptake was found to decrease with increase in ionic strength due to the expansion of the diffuse double layer and, more importantly, the formation of some chloro complexes (since NaCl was used in the adjustment of ionic strength), which do not appear to be adsorbed to the same extent as cations [M²⁺ and M(OH)⁺]. The kinetic studies showed that an equilibrium time of 3 h was needed for the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) on PGBS‐COOH and adsorption processes followed a pseudo‐second‐order equation. The Langmuir isotherm model fitted the experimental equilibrium data well. The maximum sorption capacity for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions was 185.34 and 65.88 mg g^?1, respectively, at 30 °C. The thermodynamic parameters such as changes in free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°) and entropy (ΔS°) were derived to predict the nature of adsorption. The isosteric heat of adsorption was found to be independent of surface coverage. Adsorption experiments were also conducted using a commercial cation exchanger, Ceralite IRC‐50, for comparison. Synthetic wastewater samples were treated with the adsorbent to demonstrate its efficiency in removing Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from industrial wastewaters. Acid regeneration was tried for several cycles with a view to recovering the sorbed metal ions and also restoring the sorbent to its original state. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fly ash as a sorbent for boron removal from aqueous solutions: Equilibrium and thermodynamic studies

ABSTRACT

This study presents the application of fly ash from brown coal and biomass burning power plant as a sorbent for the removal of boron ions from an aqueous solution. The adsorption process efficiency depended on the parameters, such as adsorbent dosage, pH, temperature, agitation time and initial boron concentration. The experimental data fitted well with the Freundlich isotherm model and the maximum capacity was found to be 16.14 mg g^?1. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model. Also, the intra-particle diffusion model parameters were calculated. Thermodynamic parameters such as change in free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°), entropy (ΔS°) revealed on exothermic nature of boron adsorption onto the fly ash.     

Preparation and characterization of selective phenyl thiosemicarbazide modified Au(III) ion‐imprinted cellulosic cotton fibers

In this study, a novel selective Au(III) chelating surface ion imprinted fibers based on phenyl thiosemicarbazide modified natural cotton (Au‐C‐PTS) has been synthesized, and applied for selective removal of Au(III) from aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption experiments were performed with various parameters, such as contact time, pH, initial Au(III) concentration, and temperature. The kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption process could be described by pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model, while the adsorption data correlated well with the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The maximum adsorption capacities calculated from the Langmuir equation are 140 ± 1 mg g^?1 and 72 ± 1 mg g^?1 at pH 5 for both Au‐C‐PTS and NI‐C‐PTS, respectively. The estimated thermodynamic parameters (Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°), and entropy change (ΔS°)) indicated the spontaneity and exothermic nature of the adsorption process. Furthermore, the selectivity study revealed that the ion imprinted fibers was highly selective to Au(III) compared with Cu(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Fe(III). The adsorbent was successfully regenerated with a 0.1M HNO₃ solution. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40769.     

An economically viable removal of methylene blue by adsorption on activated carbon prepared from rice husk

Application of an agricultural waste material, rice husk, has been investigated for preparation of activated carbon. The rice husk‐activated carbon (RHAC) was successfully utilised for the removal of a cationic dye, methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. The activated carbon was prepared in presence of ZnCl₂ as an activating agent under inert nitrogen atmosphere. RHAC was characterised for surface area, pore structural parameters, and point zero charge (pH_ZPC). The activated carbon was further characterised by Fourier transformation infrared (FT‐IR) spectrometer, X‐ray diffractometer (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effect of different parameters such as contact time and initial concentration, adsorbent dose, and temperature on removal of the dye from aqueous solutions was investigated. The experimental data fitted well in both the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity for MB was found to be 9.73 mg g⁻¹ at 303 K. During the study of effect of adsorbent dose, almost a 100% removal was achieved at a higher dose of RHAC. Most of the experiments were carried out at an initial concentration of MB of 60 mg/L and at 303 K. Different thermodynamic parameters, viz., changes in free energy (G°), enthalpy (H°), and entropy (S°) have also been determined to explain feasibility of the process of removal. The sorption of MB on RHAC was found to be feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic in nature.     

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE ADSORPTION OF METHYLENE BLUE DYE ONTO SULFURIC ACID–TREATED ORANGE PEEL

The present study explains the preparation and application of sulfuric acid–treated orange peel (STOP) as a new low-cost adsorbent in the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from its aqueous solution. The effects of temperature on the operating parameters such as solution pH, adsorbent dose, initial MB dye concentration, and contact time were investigated for the removal of MB dye using STOP. The maximum adsorption of MB dye onto STOP took place in the following experimental conditions: pH of 8.0, adsorbent dose of 0.4 g, contact time of 45 min, and temperature of 30°C. The adsorption equilibrium data were tested by applying both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. It is observed that the Freundlich isotherm model fitted better than the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating multilayer adsorption, at all studied temperatures. The adsorption kinetic results showed that the pseudo-second-order model was more suitable to explain the adsorption of MB dye onto STOP. The adsorption mechanism results showed that the adsorption process was controlled by both the internal and external diffusion of MB dye molecules. The values of free energy change (ΔG ^o) and enthalpy change (ΔH ^o) indicated the spontaneous, feasible, and exothermic nature of the adsorption process. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of STOP was also compared with other low-cost adsorbents, and it was found that STOP was a better adsorbent for MB dye removal.     

Adsorption of fulvic acids from aqueous solutions by carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used as adsorbent to remove fulvic acids (FA) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacity of CNTs for FA can reach 24 mg g^?1 at 5 °C and equilibrium concentration of 18 mg dm^?3. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, such as rate of adsorption, standard free energy changes (ΔG⁰), standard enthalpy change (ΔH⁰) and standard entropy change (ΔS⁰), have been obtained. Acidic conditions (pH = 2–5) favor FA removal. An increase in the ionic strength or the addition of divalent cations increase the adsorption of FA dramatically (FA = 60 mg dm^?3). An increase in the maximum adsorbed amount of FA was observed when treating FA in synthetic seawater. Desorption studies reveal that FA can be easily and quickly removed from CNTs by altering the pH values of the solution. Good adsorption capacity and quick desorption indicate that CNTs are a promising adsorbent to remove FA from aqueous solutions. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ability of iron(III)‐loaded carboxylated polyacrylamide‐grafted sawdust to remove phosphate ions from aqueous solution and fertilizer industry wastewater: Adsorption kinetics and isotherm studies

Iron(III)‐loaded carboxylated polyacrylamide‐grafted sawdust was investigated as an adsorbent for the removal of phosphate from water and wastewater. The carboxylated polyacrylamide‐grafted sawdust was prepared by graft copolymerization of acrylamide and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide onto sawdust in the presence of an initiator, potassium peroxydisulfate. Iron(III) was strongly attached to the carboxylic acid moiety of the adsorbent. The adsorbent material exhibits a very high adsorption potential for phosphate ions. The coordinated unsaturated sites of the iron(III) complex of polymerized sawdust were considered to be the adsorption sites for phosphate ions, the predominating species being H₂PO ions. Maximum removal of 97.6 and 90.3% with 2 g L^?1 of the adsorbent was observed at pH 2.5 for an initial phosphate concentration of 100 and 250 μmol L^?1, respectively. The adsorption process follows second‐order kinetics. Adsorption rate constants as a function of concentration and temperature and kinetic parameters, such as ΔG^±, ΔH^±, and ΔS^±, were calculated to predict the nature of adsorption. The L‐type adsorption isotherm obtained in the sorbent indicated a favorable process and fitted the Langmuir equation model well. The adsorption capacity calculated by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm gave 3.03 × 10^?4 mol g^?1 of phosphate removal at 30°C and pH 2.5. The isosteric heat of adsorption was also determined at various surface loadings of the adsorbent. The adsorption efficiency toward phosphate removal was tested using industrial wastewater. Different reagents were tested for extracting phosphate ions from the spent adsorbent. About 98.2% of phosphate can be recovered from the adsorbent using 0.1M NaOH. Alkali regeneration was tried for several cycles with a view to recover the adsorbed phosphate and also to restore the adsorbent to its original state. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2541–2553, 2002     

Improved synthesis of a branched poly(ethylene imine)‐modified cellulose‐based adsorbent for removal and recovery of Cu(II) from aqueous solution

This study focuses on an improved synthesis of a branched poly (ethylene imine) (PEI)‐modified cellulose‐based adsorbent (Cell‐g‐PGMA‐PEI). We aim to improve the adsorbent capacity by reducing side reaction of epoxide ring opening during graft copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto cellulose which increases the content of epoxy groups, anchors to immobilize branched PEI moieties. FTIR spectra provided the evidence of successful graft copolymerization of GMA onto cellulose initiated by benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and modification with PEI. The amount of epoxy groups of Cell‐g‐PGMA was 4.35 mmol g^?1 by epoxy titration. Subsequently, the adsorption behavior of Cu(II) on cell‐g‐PGMA‐PEI in aqueous solution has been investigated. The data from the adsorption kinetic experiments agreed well with pseudo‐second‐order model. The adsorption isotherms can be interpreted by the Langmuir model with the maximum adsorption capacity of 102 mg g^?1 which was largely improved compared with the similar adsorbent reported. The dynamic adsorption capacity obtained from the column tests was 119 mg g^?1 and the adsorbent could be regenerated by HCl of 0.1 mol L^?1. Results indicate that the novel pathway for the synthesis of Cell‐g‐PGMA‐PEI exhibits significant potential to improve the performance of adsorbents in removal and recovery of Cu(II) from aqueous solution. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Sorption of tannic acid on zirconium pillared clay

Zirconium pillared clay (PILC) was prepared using montmorillonite as the base clay. Adsorption of tannic acid (tannin) was studied by a batch equilibrium technique, as a function of adsorbate concentration, temperature, pH, agitation speed, particle size of the adsorbent and ionic strength. The process of uptake is governed by diffusion controlled first‐order reversible rate kinetics. The higher uptake for the pH range 4.0–6.0 was attributed to external hydrogen bonding between phenolic‐OH groups of tannin molecules and the hydrogen bonding sites on the clay. The removal of tannin by adsorption was found to be >99.0% depending on the initial concentration in the pH range of 4.0–6.0. The process involves both film and pore diffusion to different extents. The effects of solute concentration, temperature, agitation speed and particle size on the diffusion rate were investigated. Tannin uptake was found to increase with ionic strength due to the compression of diffuse double layers. The applicability of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models has been tested. The maximum adsorption capacity of PILC was found to be 45.8 µmol g^?1 of clay and the affinity constant is 2.9 × 10^?2 dm³ µmol^?1 at 30 °C. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG °,ΔH ° and ΔS ° were calculated to predict the nature of adsorption. The isosteric enthalpies of adsorption were also determined and found to decrease with increasing surface coverage. Regeneration with hot water (60 °C) has been investigated for several cycles with a view to recovering the adsorbed tannin and also restoring the sorbent to its original state. Copyright © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Electrochemical removal of boron from water: Adsorption and thermodynamic studies

The present work provides an electrochemical removal of boron from water and its kinetics, thermodynamics, isotherm using mild steel and stainless steel as anode and cathode respectively. The various operating parameters on the removal efficiency of boron were investigated, such as initial boron ion concentration, initial pH, current density and temperature. The results showed that the optimum removal efficiency of 93.2% was achieved at a current density of 0.2 A dm^?2 at pH of 7.0. First‐, second‐order rate equations, Elovich and Intraparticle models were applied to study adsorption kinetics. Adsorption isotherms of boron on Fe(OH)₃ were determined and correlated with isotherm equations such as Langmuir, Freundlich and D‐R models. Thermodynamic parameters, such as standard Gibb's free energy (ΔG°), standard enthalpy (ΔH°) and standard entropy (ΔS°), were also evaluated by Van't Hoff equation. The adsorption process follows second‐order kinetics. The adsorption of boron preferably fits with Langmuir adsorption isotherm suggesting monolayer coverage of adsorbed molecules. The adsorption of boron onto Fe(OH)₃ was found to be spontaneous and endothermic. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

STUDIES ON THE ADSORPTION OF FURFURAL FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION ONTO LOW-COST BAGASSE FLY ASH

The present study deals with the sorptive removal of furfural from aqueous solution by carbon-rich bagasse fly ash (BFA). Batch studies were performed to evaluate the influence of various experimental parameters, namely, initial pH (p H ₀), adsorbent dose, contact time, initial concentration, and temperature on the removal of furfural. Optimum conditions for furfural removal were found to be p H ₀ ≈ 5.5, adsorbent dose ≈4 g/L of solution, and equilibrium time ≈4 h. The adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The effective diffusion coefficient of furfural is of the order of 10^?13 m²/s. Equilibrium adsorption data on BFA was analyzed by Freundlich, Langmuir, Dubnin-Radushkevich, Redlich-Peterson, and Temkin isotherm equations using regression and error analysis. The Redlich-Peterson isotherm was found to best represent the data for furfural adsorption onto BFA. Adsorption of furfural on BFA is favorably influenced by a decrease in the temperature of the operation. Values of the change in entropy (ΔS ⁰) and heat of adsorption (ΔH ⁰) for furfural adsorption on BFA were negative. The high negative value of change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG ⁰) indicates the feasible and spontaneous adsorption of furfural on BFA.     

Adsorption equilibrium,thermodynamics, kinetics,mechanism and process design of zinc(II) ions onto cashew nut shell

Cashew nut shell (CNS) is an agricultural waste was investigated as a new adsorbent for the removal of zinc(II) from aqueous environment. Effects of solution pH, CNS dose, contact time, initial zinc(II) concentration and temperature on removal efficiency were tested and optimum conditions were evaluated. The equilibrium data were fitted well with Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity of CNS was examined as 24.98 mg/g. Changes in standard Gibbs free energy (?G°), standard enthalpy (?H°) and standard entropy (?S°) showed that the sorption of zinc(II) ions onto CNS are spontaneous and exothermic at 303–333 K. Sorption process was found to be controlled by both surface and pore diffusion. A batch adsorber was designed for different CNS dose to effluent volume ratios using Langmuir equation. Effective diffusivity values were found to be 1.927 × 10^?11 (10 mg/L), 2.135 × 10^?11 (20 mg/L), 2.267 × 10^?11 (30 mg/L), 2.305 × 10^?11 (40 mg/L) and 2.362 × 10^?11 (50 mg/L) m²/s. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering     

ADSORPTION OF A LEATHER DYE ON MESOPOROUS STRUVITE OBTAINED FROM SWINE WASTEWATER

Struvite powder obtained from swine wastewater was used as adsorbent to remove an azo leather dye from aqueous solution. The material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, surface area, and atomic force microscopy. The sample presented a single phase having a mesoporous structure and surface area of 35.63 m² g^?1. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were fitted to the adsorption data and both satisfactorily represented the process. The maximum adsorption capacity was 38.14 mg g^?1. From the analysis of thermodynamic parameters such as free energy of adsorption (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°), and entropy (ΔS°) it was verified that the adsorption process is very fast, spontaneous, and exothermic in nature, with weak forces acting.     

Removal of Cr(VI) From Aqueous Solution by Turkish Vermiculite: Equilibrium,Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies

Abstract

The adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution by Turkish vermiculite were investigated in terms of equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Experimental parameters affecting the removal process such as pH of solution, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and temperature were studied. Equilibrium adsorption data were evaluated by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherm models. Langmuir model fitted the equilibrium data better than the Freundlich model. The monolayer adsorption capacity of Turkish vermiculite for Cr(VI) was found to be 87.7 mg/g at pH 1.5, 10 g/L adsorbent dosage and 20°C. The mean free energy of adsorption (5.9 kJ/mol) obtained from the D–R isotherm indicated that the type of sorption was essentially physical. The calculated thermodynamic parameters (ΔG ^o , ΔH ^o and ΔS ^o ) showed that the removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution by the vermiculite was feasible, spontaneous and exothermic at 20–50°C. Equilibrium data were also tested using the adsorption kinetic models and the results showed that the adsorption processes of Cr(VI) onto Turkish vermiculite followed well pseudo-second order kinetics.     

Effect of Temperature on Kinetics and Adsorption Profile of Endothermic Chemisorption Process: –Tm(III)–PAN Loaded PUF System

Abstract

The sorption behavior of 3.18×10^?6 mol l^?1 solution of Tm(III) metal ions onto 7.25 mg l^?1 of 1‐(2‐pyridylazo)‐2‐naphthol (PAN) loaded polyurethane foam (PUF) has been investigated at different temperatures i.e. 303 K, 313 K, and 323 K. The maximum equilibration time of sorption was 30 minutes from pH 7.5 buffer solution at all temperatures. The various rate parameters of adsorption process have been investigated. The diffusional activation energy (ΔE_ads) and activation entropy (ΔS_ads) of the system were found to be 22.1±2.6 kJ mol^?1 and 52.7±6.2 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) were calculated and interpreted. The positive value of ΔH and negative value of ΔG indicate that sorption is endothermic and spontaneous in nature, respectively. The adsorption isotherms such as Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm were tested experimentally at different temperatures. The changes in adsorption isotherm constants were discussed. The binding energy constant (b) of Langmuir isotherm increases with temperature. The differential heat of adsorption (ΔH_diff), entropy of adsorption (ΔS_diff) and adsorption free energy (ΔG_ads) at 313 K were determined and found to be 38±2 kJ mol^?1, 249±3 J mol^?1 K^?1 and –40.1±1.1 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The stability of sorbed complex and mechanism involved in adsorption process has been discussed using different thermodynamic parameters and sorption free energy.     

Starch/rice husk ash based superabsorbent composite: high methylene blue removal efficiency

Superabsorbent hydrogels composites based on the biopolymer starch (ST) and rice husk ash (RHA) were successfully developed and tested towards the removal of methylene blue (MB), a cationic dye. RHA content hit the morphology, mechanical and water uptake properties of the composite. Batch adsorption experiments, carried out under pH 5 at 33 °C and with 2000 mg L^?1 as the initial concentration of MB, showed that at 5 wt% RHA the composite exhibited a remarkable adsorption capacity reaching up to 1906.3 mg g^?1 within 60 min. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model and intraparticle diffusion was involved in this process. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm suggested a monolayer formation and spontaneous process. Thermodynamic parameters confirmed the spontaneity of the adsorption and suggested electrostatic interaction among the cationic dye molecules and the anionic adsorption sites on the adsorbent surface. FTIR analysis confirmed the adsorption process occurs via electrostatic mechanism associated with hydrophobic interactions. The adsorbents showed reusability with slight loss of adsorption capacity in five consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles. These results demonstrate ST/RHA superabsorbent composite as a low-cost, eco-friendly, robust and powerful adsorbent material for wastewater remediation.