Syringa vulgaris leaves powder a novel low-cost adsorbent for methylene blue removal: isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamic and optimization by Taguchi method

Abstract

In this study, the potential of a new low-cost adsorbent, Syringa vulgaris leaves powder, for methylene blue adsorption from aqueous solution was investigated. The adsorbent surface was examined using SEM and FTIR techniques. The experiments were conducted, in batch system, to find out the effect of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, initial dye concentration, temperature and ionic strength on dye adsorption. The process is best described by Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo second order kinetic model. Maximum adsorption capacity, 188.2 (mg g−1), is better than other similar adsorbent materials. Thermodynamic parameters revealed a spontaneous and endothermic process, suggesting a physisorption mechanism. A Taguchi orthogonal array (L27) experimental design was used to determine the optimum conditions for the removal of dye. Various desorbing agents were used to investigate the regeneration possibility of used adsorbent. Results suggest that the adsorbent material is very effective for removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions.