Removal of acid yellow 49 from aqueous solution by adsorption

Abstract

In this study, the removal of an acid dye, acid yellow 49, used in the textile industry with sepiolite was investigated as a function of ionic strength, pH and temperature. Adsorption process was attained to the equilibrium within 1 h. The adsorbed amount of acid yellow 49 increased with increasing ionic strength and temperature, but decreased with increasing pH. The experimental data were analysed by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, and it was found that the isotherm data were reasonably correlated by Freundlich isotherm. Furthermore, for the removal of acid yellow 49, a batch reactor was designed. The results indicated that sepiolite could be employed as an alternative to commercial adsorbents in wastewater treatment for the removal of colour and dyes.