Utilization of Agro-Waste in the Elimination of Dyes from Aqueous Solution: Equilibrium, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies

The prospective of maize cob powder (MCP) as an effective adsorbent for the removal of malachite green (MG) and congo red (CR) dyes from aqueous solution was investigated. The presence of functional groups and pores on maize cob powder were confirmed by FTIR and SEM analysis. Batch adsorption studies were conducted and various parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, pH and temperature were examined to observe their effects in the dyes adsorption process. The optimum conditions for the adsorption of MG and CR onto the adsorbent (MCP) was found to be: contact time (60mins), pH (10.0) and temperature (303 K), adsorbent dose (1 g) for an initial MG dye concentration of 50 mg/L and contact time (80mins), pH (2.0) and temperature (343 K) for an initial CR dye concentration of 50 mg/L and adsorbent dose 1.0 g respectively. The experimental equilibrium adsorption data fitted best and well to the Freundlich isotherm model for CR dye adsorption and Langmuir Isotherm for MG adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 13.02 mg/g and 9.41 mg/g for the adsorption of MG and CR dyes respectively. The kinetic data conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic quantities such as Gibbs free energy (ΔG0), enthalpy (ΔH0) and entropy (ΔS0) were evaluated and the negative values of ΔG0, ΔH0 and ΔS0 obtained indicated the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the MG adsorption process while positive enthalpy (ΔH0) indicated an endothermic nature of CR adsorption process.