Functionalized coconut husks for rhodamine-B dye sequestration

Abstract

This study investigates the efficacy of acid activated coconut husk (CHA) for the removal of rhodamine-B (Rh-B) dye from aqueous solutions. The CHA prepared was characterized using various techniques: SEM, FTIR EDX, Boehm titration and pHpzc, respectively. The effects of different operational parameters including initial concentration, contact time and solution temperatures were examined. Kinetic data for Rh-B dye adsorption onto CHA fitted best to pseudo-second-order kinetic model considering the correlation regression (R2) and the sum of squares of error values. Adsorption data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Temkin isotherm models. Langmuir isotherm was the most fitted among all the models used with maximum monolayer sorption capacity of 1666.67 mg g−1 and the highest regression value of 0.99 indicating that CHA has greater affinity for Rh-B dye adsorption due to increased pore development via acid activation. Thermodynamic studies revealed an endothermic adsorption process with the ΔH0 value of 62.77 kJ mol−1. Spontaneity was ascertained based on the negative values of ΔGo (ranging from − 26.38 kJ mol−1 to − 20.93 kJ mol−1). The positive value of ΔS0 (0.276 kJ mol−1 K−1) suggests increased randomness that exists between CHA and Rh-B dye. Cost analysis results revealed that CHA is six times cheaper than commercial activated carbon (CAC), providing a savings of 217 US$ kg−1. CHA adsorbent was found to be suitable for Rh-B dye removal from aqueous solution.