Silver nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon as efficient adsorbent for removal of methyl orange

Abstract

Silver nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon were synthesized and used for the removal of methyl orange (MO) from aqueous solutions. The influence of variables such as initial solution pH, amount of adsorbent, initial MO concentration and adsorption time on its removal percentage was studied. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms have been analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich and Tempkin models. It was found that Langmuir model has the highest correlation coefficients. The fitting experimental data to different conventional kinetic models such as pseudo-first and pseudosecond order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models show that adsorption follow the second-order equation in addition to intraparticle diffusion as the rate-limiting factor.