Modelling of Binary Isotherm Behaviour for the Adsorption of Catechol with Phenol and Resorcinol onto Rice Husk Ash

Abstract

The present paper assesses the adsorption capability of rice husk ash (RHA) to adsorb catechol (C) along with phenol (P) and resorcinol (R) individually and simultaneously from aqueous solution in both single and binary solutions using batch experiments. Equilibrium isotherm data were collected at 30°C by carrying out experimental runs for 24 h contact time with pre-optimized RHA dosage of 20 mg/L and initial concentration variation of individual components in the range of 50–500 mg/L. The equilibrium adsorption data for single component were fitted in three adsorption isotherm models, namely the Langmuir, the Freundlich and the Redlich–Peterson. Equilibrium adsorption data of binary aqueous solution of catechol–phenol, catechol–resorcinol and the parameter evaluated from single adsorption isotherm were fitted in various multi-component adsorption isotherm models. Extended Langmuir model which assumes overlapping of sites for different adsorbates better represented the binary isotherm data for both catechol–phenol and catechol–resorcinol systems.