Adsorptive properties of Flamboyant seed pod activated carbon for the removal of anionic dye in wastewater

Abstract

Flamboyant seed pods were used as a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of anionic dyes from wastewater. The activated carbon was obtained via Carbonization and subsequent chemical activation with Sodium Hydroxide at 600 o C for 60 minutes. The adsorbent was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Optimization of adsorption parameters, including dosage, contact time, and initial concentration were performed to determine the optimum adsorption performance of the activated carbon. It is evident from the result that, there were good enhancements in pores of the absorbent FS-AC due to alkali impregnation in addition the several functional groups that took part in the adsorption process. The adsorption capacity of methyl orange increased with contact time until it reaches the saturation limit and later decrease, indicating that the adsorbent can no longer adsorbed more dye beyond it saturation limit. There was a decrease in the dye uptake with increase in dosage of the FS-AC. The amount of methyl orange adsorbed onto FS-AC increased with time and subsequently decreased at some point in time with maximum uptake at 100 mg/L.