Adsorptive removal of methylene blue using the natural adsorbent-banana leaves

Abstract

In this work, the banana leaf, an agricultural waste, widely used for wrapping of food was utilized as a low-cost adsorbent for removing methylene blue (MB) dye from the aqueous solution. The effects of initial concentration, contact time, and solution pH on the adsorption performance were investigated in a batch mode study at 30°C. The adsorptive uptake of MB increased with increasing the initial MB concentration and solution pH. Equilibrium data were simulated using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models. The data were well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model, showing a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 109.89 mg/g. Adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models. The results illustrated the potential use of waste banana leaves for the removal of colors and dyes from the textile wastewater.