Comparative studies on removal of fast green dye from aqueous solutions by activated carbon prepared from Gloriosa superba waste and Alternaria raphani fungal biomass

Abstract

A comparative study was done on removal of fast green dye from aqueous solution by activated carbon prepared from Gloriosa superba pericarp and live fungal biomass of Alternaria raphani was used by adsorption technique under varying conditions of agitation time, dye concentration, adsorbent dose and pH. Adsorption depended on solution pH, dye concentration, adsorbent concentration and contact time. Equilibrium time for fast green dye removal using both adsorbents was attained at 60 to 120 min. Increase in biomass dosage increased the adsorption. Adsorption capacity (Q 0) of fast green by activated carbon (51.02 mg g -1) was higher than fungal biomass (35.59 mg g -1). The second-order kinetic model described well the experimental data. Acidic pH was favorable for the adsorption of fast green studied. Studies on pH effect and desorption show that chemisorptions seems to play a major role in the adsorption process. Among the two adsorbents studied for fast green removal, activated carbon showed better adsorption capacity. Thus utilization of Gloriosa superba pericarp waste for fast green dye removal has potential application in dyeing industry wastewater treatment. © 2012 Asian Network for Scientific Information.