Removal process of an industrial dye using a biosorbent: characterization, kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic studies

Abstract

Adsorption-based removal is a highly efficient environmental phenomenon employed to eliminate various dyes, such as crystal violet (CV), which is prevalently used in the textile industry and subsequently discharged into natural ecosystems. This study aims to utilize natural bentonite clay sourced from Algeria for the extraction of cationic dye (CV) from wastewater. The characterization of the bentonite was conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Evaluations assessed the impact of various parameters including pH, stirring time, temperature, and initial dye concentration on the adsorption efficiency. Optimal conditions for the maximal adsorption of CV were determined to be 430.18 mg g-1 at an adsorbent-to-dye solution ratio of 1 g L-1, pH 11.06, an equilibrium time of 40 minutes, and a temperature of 40°C. The adsorption kinetics were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, while the Freundlich isotherm model aptly described the adsorption isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters underscored the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the crystal violet removal process using raw bentonite. This research provides novel insights into the effective removal of a cationic dye from water and wastewater using Algerian bentonite clay.