Adsorption of Methyl Orange Dye from Aqueous Solution by Carbonized Iron Tree (Prosopis africana) Seeds: Kinetic, Equilibrium and Thermodynamic Studies

Abstract

Adsorption of Methyl orange dye from aqueous solutions by carbonized Prosopis africana (CPA) seeds was investigated using a batch system under controlled conditions. The carbonized Prosopis africana (CPA) seed was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) methods. The point of zero charge (PZC) of carbonized Prosopis africana (CPA) was to be 6.10. The kinetic data was best relatively described by pseudo-second order in relation to all the models studied. Adsorption parameters such as effect of pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage and initial concentration were studied for optimization purposes. The adsorption isotherm for the processes was also estimated and established to fit well the Freundlich isotherm model relative to other models tested. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption processes were exothermic and feasible in nature. This indicates that carbonized Prosopis africana (CPA) seed can be employed as a good adsorbent for the treatment of wastewater containing dyes such as Methyl orange.