Equilibrium isotherm studies of adsorption of pigments extracted from Kuduk-kuduk (Melastoma malabathricum L.) pulp onto TiO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

The adsorption of natural pigments onto TiO2 nanoparticles was investigated. The pigments were extracted from the dark purple colored pulp of the berry-like capsule of Kuduk-kuduk (Melastoma malabathricum L.). The Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, and Sips isotherm models were used to analyze the equilibrium experimental data. Data correlated well with the Sips isotherm model, where the heterogeneity factor (n = 0.24) indicated heterogeneous adsorption characteristics, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 0.0130 mg/g. The heterogeneous adsorption character was further supported by results obtained from zeta-potential measurements. When a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) was sensitized with the extracted pigment, the photo-energy conversion efficiency was measured to be 0.83%, thus proving the suitability of Kuduk-kuduk fruit pulp as a sensitizer in DSSCs. © 2014 N. T. R. N. Kumara et al.