Adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solutions by modified expanded graphite powder

The modified expanded graphite (MEG) powder was used as a porous adsorbent for the removal of the cationic dye, methylene blue (MB), from aqueous solutions. The dye adsorption experiments were carried out with the bath procedure. Experimental results showed that the basic pH, increasing initial dye concentration and high temperature favored the adsorption. The dye adsorption equilibrium was attained rapidly after 5 min of contact time. Experimental data related to the adsorption of MB on the MEG under different conditions were applied to the pseudo-first-order equation, the pseudo-second-order equation and the intraparticle diffusion equation, and the rate constants of first-order adsorption (k₁), the rate constants of second-order adsorption (k₂) and intraparticle diffusion rate constants (k_int) were calculated, respectively. The experimental data fitted very well in the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters of activation such as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy were also evaluated. The results indicated that the MEG powder could be employed as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of textile dyes from effluents.