Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, Vol.95, No.9, 1760-1767, 2017
METHYLENE BLUE ADSORPTION USING CHABAZITE: KINETICS AND EQUILIBRIUM MODELLING
The adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution by a natural zeolite (chabazite) was studied. The effect of adsorbate concentration and pH were evaluated using raw and acid-treated chabazite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed surface modification of acid-treated chabazite, thus resulting in a decrease in adsorption capacity. The sorption kinetics and the equilibrium isotherms were evaluated. The pseudo-second-order model was found to be the most suited for kinetic results, and the Langmuir isotherm was chosen to better describe the sorption system. The results confirmed the efficacy of raw chabazite in removing almost all methylene blue fraction from the solution. The use of such a material, at low cost and easily available, can therefore represent a possible efficient way to remove dyes from effluent of many industries.