Biosorption of cationic dye from aqueous solutions onto lignocellulosic biomass (Luffa cylindrica): characterization, equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies

Abstract

In the present study, biomass fiber (Luffa cylindrica) has been successfully used as biosorbent for the removal of a cationic dye namely, methylene blue, from aqueous solution using a batch process. The characterization of the biosorbent was carried out by the infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical composition has been established by the energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS). The effects of various parameters such as the contact time (0–160 min), solution pH (2–10), biosorbent dose (0.5–8 g L−1), particle size, initial MB concentration (20–300 mg L−1) and temperature (20–60 °C) were optimized. The biosorption isotherms were investigated by the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Tempkin models. The data were well fitted with the Langmuir model, with a maximum biosorption capacity of 49.46 mg g−1 at 20 °C. The kinetics data were analyzed by the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. The mass transfer model in terms of interlayer diffusion was applied to examine the mechanisms of the rate-controlling step (R2 = 0.9992–0.9999). The thermodynamic parameters: free energy (ΔG° = −5.428 to −3.364 kJ mol−1), enthalpy (ΔH° = −20.547 kJ mol−1) and entropy (ΔS° = −0.052 kJ mol−1 K−1) were determined over the temperatures range (20–60 °C). The results indicate that Luffa cylindrica could be an interesting biomass of alternative material with respect to more costly adsorbents used nowadays for dye removal.