Adsorption of cationic dye from aqueous solution by clay as an adsorbent: thermodynamic and kinetic studies

Abstract

In the study, montmorillonite was used as an adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. Batch studies were performed to address various experimental parameters like contact time, pH, temperature, stirring speed, ionic strength, adsorbent dosage and initial concentration for the removal of this dye. Adsorption rate increased with the increase in initial dye concentration, ionic strength, stirring speed, pH and temperature. Kinetic study showed that the adsorption of dye on montmorillonite was a gradual process. Quasi-equilibrium reached in 3 h. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, Bangham, mass transfer and intra-particle particle diffusion models were used to fit the experimental data. Pseudo-second-order rate equation was able to provide realistic description of adsorption kinetics. Intra-particle diffusion process was identified as the main mechanism controlling the rate of the dye sorption. The diffusion coefficient, D, was found to increase when the stirring speed, ionic strength and temperature were raised. Thermodynamic activation parameters such as Delta G*, Delta S* and Delta N* were also calculated.