Batch Adsorption of Safranin Dye from an Aqueous Solution of Balanites aegyptiaca Seed Coats

Abstract

This study was aimed at using Balanite aegyptiaca seed coats activated carbon (BAAC) as a potential adsorbent to remove safranin dye from aqueous solution. BAAC was prepared from Balanite aegyptiaca seed coats using a one-step procedure with 67.27% yield, 3.23% ash content, 695 m2/g surface area and 203 mg/g iodine number. The FTIR spectroscopy revealed O-H, N-H, C-H, C=C, C-O-H stretching vibrations. The influences of agitation time, initial dye concentration and adsorbent dose were studied in batch experiments at room temperature. The adsorptions were rapid at the first 15 minutes of agitation, with the uptake of 2.746 mg/kg. The adsorption equilibrium was achieved at 90 minutes of agitation. Kinetic studies showed good correlation coefficient for both pseudo-first order and pseudo-second-order kinetics model but fitted well into pseudo-second order kinetic model. The adsorption data fitted well into Langmuir isotherm with correlation coefficient (R2) very close to unity and Langmuir maximum adsorption constant, qm  1.00. Thus, the fitting into Langmuir indicates monolayer coverage on the adsorbents. The results showed that BAAC has the potential to be applied as alternative low-cost adsorbents in the remediation of dye contamination in wastewater.