Kinetics and Equilibrium Studies on the Removal of Direct Blue Dye Using Activated Carbon from Phyllanthus Reticulatus (Black Honey)

The preparation of activated carbon from Phyllanthus Reticulatus plant steam by H2SO4 activation at 800C (PRAC) and its ability to remove direct blue 71 (DB71) from aqueous solution was reported in this study. The surface morphology of activated carbon was determined by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The efficiency of the activated carbon was investigated by studying the effects of various experimental parameters such as contact time, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, temperature and pH of dye solution. Adsorption followed pseudo-second order model. The equilibrium data were evaluated using Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms and it was found that the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were the best fit. The intra-particle diffusion studies indicate that the rate controlling step involves pore diffusion. This study indicates that the activated carbon prepared from Phyllanthus Reticulatus can be utilized as a better adsorbent for the removal of direct blue dye.