The Use of Bilberry Leaves (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) as an Efficient Adsorbent for Cationic Dye Removal from Aqueous Solutions.

Giannin Mosoarca,Cosmin Vancea,Mircea Dan,Sorina Boran,Simona Popa

doi:10.3390/polym14050978

Giannin Mosoarca, Cosmin Vancea + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14050978

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Journal: Polymers	Publication Date: Feb 28, 2022
Citations: 16	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Polytechnic University of Timişoara

Abstract

In this study, a new lignocellulosic bioadsorbent, bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) leaves powder, was used to remove the methylene blue dye from aqueous solutions. The characterization of the adsorbent was performed by FTIR, SEM and color analysis. The influence of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, initial dye concentration, temperature and ionic strength on the adsorption process were followed. Equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies were conducted in order to understand the adsorption process mechanism. Process optimization was performed using the Taguchi method. Sips isotherm and general order kinetic model characterize the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity, 200.4 (mg g−1), was better compared with other similar bioadsorbents. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process is spontaneous, favorable and endothermic and also that physisorption is involved in the process. The factor with the highest influence on the dye removal process was pH, followed by contact time, temperature, adsorbent dose, ionic strength and initial dye concentration. The obtained results revealed that the bioadsorbent material based on bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) leaves is highly efficient for cationic dyes removal from aqueous solutions.

Highlights

Nowadays, dyes have many applications in everyday life and are widely used in various industries such as textile, pigments, plastics, printing, leather, food, rubber, paper and cosmetics [1–7]
The aim of this study was to remove methylene blue cationic dye from aqueous solutions using the new bioadsorbent material obtained from bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) leaves
The FTIR spectra (Figure 1), before and after adsorption process, reveal that cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin are the main components of the bioadsorbent material

Summary

Introduction

Dyes have many applications in everyday life and are widely used in various industries such as textile, pigments, plastics, printing, leather, food, rubber, paper and cosmetics [1–7]. Most of these dyes end up in wastewater which, without proper treatment, can cause serious environmental problems [5,7–11]. Methylene blue is a cationic dye commonly used in the textile industry, especially for dyeing cotton, silk and wool [1,2,14,15]. It is used in medical practice for treatment of methaemoglobinemia and cyanide poisoning and can play the role of staining agent in diagnostic examinations [2,16]. It may have a harmful effect on human health leading to eye irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia and respiratory problem [15–17]

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