Exploring the efficiency of sugarcane bagasse (Saccharum officinarum) for decontamination of wastewater containing Congo red dye

Abstract

In present investigation, the adsorptive treatment of synthetically contaminated aqueous solution containing Congo red (CR) by using sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as a low-cost adsorbent was studied. Surface morphological and physio chemical nature of SCB was analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Adsorption studies were conducted in batch mode to investigate the effect of solution pH, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, contact time, and temperature. Experimental data was evaluated by using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm model and it was best followed by Freundlich isotherm. Different kinetic models were also studied, and pseudo second order was concluded to be the best followed with R 2 = 1 and Q e ( cal ) = 0.935 mg g − 1 which was very close to the experimental Q e ( exp ) = 9.976 mg / g . R L value in current investigation is 1 which indicates that adsorption of SCB onto CR dye is favorable. The negative values of thermodynamic parameters ( Δ G and Δ H ) revealed that adsorption of CR onto SCB was spontaneous and exothermic in nature, respectively. The adsorbent (SCB) also reflects excellent recyclability, 76% of the adsorbent was regenerated and available for further adsorption experiments. Applicability of developed procedure with tap water was also checked out and results revealed that 70% of CR dye had been adsorbed under optimum condition. It suggests that SCB possess a potential to be used as an effective, and low-cost adsorbent for adsorption of CR dye from industrial effluents.