Bioremediation potential of a widespread industrial biowaste as renewable and sustainable biosorbent for synthetic dye pollution

Abstract

In this study, a model synthetic azo dye (Basic red 46) bioremoval by Carpinus betulus sawdust as inexpensive, eco-friendly, and sustainable biosorbent from aqueous solution was examined in a batch biosorption system. The effective environmental parameters on the biosorption process, such as the value of pH, amount of biosorbent, initial dye concentration and contact time were optimized using classical test design. The possible dye-biosorbent interaction was determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The equilibrium, thermodynamic, and kinetic studies for the biosorption of Basic red 46 onto the sawdust biomass were performed. In addition, a single-stage batch dye biosorption system was also designed. The dye biosorption yield of biosorbent was significantly influenced by the change of operating variables. The experimental data were best described by the Freundlich isotherm model and both the pseudo-first-order kinetic and the pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Thermodynamic research indicated that the biosorption of dye was feasible and spontaneous. Based on the Langmuir isotherm model, the biosorbent was found to have a maximum biosorption potential higher than many other biosorbents in the literature (264.915 mg g−1). Thus, this investigation presents a novel green option for the assessment of waste sawdust biomass as a cheap and effective biosorbent material.