Removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions by adsorption onto chemically activated halloysite nanotubes

This study examines the adsorption behavior of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions onto chemically activated halloysite nanotubes. Adsorption of MB depends greatly on the adsorbent dose, pH, initial concentration, temperature and contact time. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms and the Langmuir model agrees very well with experimental data. The maximum adsorption capacities for MB ranged from 91.32 to 103.63 mg·g⁻¹ between 298 and 318 K. A comparison of kinetic models applied to the adsorption data was evaluated for pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich and intra-particle diffusion equation. The results showed the adsorption process was well described by the pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion mode. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic. The obtained results indicated that the product had the potential to be utilized as low-cost and effective alternative for dye removal in wastewater.