Removal of Azo Dye from aqueous solution by activated carbon derived from Moringa oleifera seeds

Abstract

The aim of this work is to utilize activated carbon derived from M. oleifera seeds that is treated with zinc chloride to remove the Remazol Brilliant Pink solution in aqueous solution. The acid-treated activated carbon was characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) to determine the adsorbent surface morphology and functional groups, respectively. Three experiment parameters including pH, adsorbent dosage and initial dye concentration were carried out in a batch adsorption process. From the study, pH 3, 0.20 grams of adsorbent dosage, and initial dye concentration of 150 mg/L were the best operating parameter. The adsorption data was then undergone further analysis using Langmuir adsorption isotherm and Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Langmuir adsorption isotherm has a superior R2 value of 0.9784 when compared to the latter. The adsorption kinetics follows pseudo-second-order kinetic model was, indicating that the adsorption process is a chemisorption and monolayer formed at the surface of activated carbon. Thus, activated carbon derived from M. oleifera seeds deemed to be effective in removing Remazol Brilliant Pink from aqueous solution.