Scavenging Rhodamine B dye using moringa oleifera seed pod

Abstract

Moringa oliferia seed pod was modified using orthophosphoric acid (H3PO4) and used as adsorbent for sequestering Rhodamine B (Rh-B) dye from aqueous solution. The acid-modified adsorbent (MOSPAC) was characterized using Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), pH point of zero charge (pHpzc) and Boehm Titration (BT) techniques, respectively. Operational parameters such as contact time, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH and solution temperature were studied in batch process. Optimum dye adsorption was observed at pH 3.01. Equilibrium adsorption data was tested data using four different isotherm models: Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich. Langmuir isotherm model fitted most with maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 1250 mg g–1. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided the best correlation for the experimental data. Thermodynamic study showed that the process is endothermic, spontaneous and feasible. MOSPAC is an effective adsorbent for the removal of RhB dye from aqueous solutions.