Removal of a Basic Dye (Rhodamine-B) From Aqueous Solution by Adsorption Using Timber Industry Waste

V. K. Garg, R. Gupta and T. Juneja

Abstract
Sorption of rhodamine-B from aqueous solutions on formaldehyde treated saw dust (SD) and sulphuric acid treated saw dust (SDC) of Indian Rosewood, a timber industry waste, was studied. Aqueous solutions of various mass concentrations (50 – 250 mg l–1) were shaken with certain amounts of adsorbent to determine the adsorption capacity of rhodamine-B on SD and SDC as well. Similar experiments were carried out with commercially available activated carbon (ACR) to compare the adsorption capacity of SD and SDC. The influence of several individual variables (initial adsorbate concentration, adsorbent mass, pH etc.) on the rate of uptake of dye by the adsorbents was determined using the batch mode. The adsorption capacity of the studied adsorbents was in the order ACR > SDC > SD. Initial pH had negligible effect on the adsorption capacity. Maximum dye was sequestered from the solution within 30 – 45 min after the beginning for every experiment. After that, the concentration of rhodamine-B in the liquid phase remained almost constant. The adsorption of rhodamine-B on SD and SDC followed a first order rate expression and fit the Lagergren equation well. The results showed that SDC and SD can be considered as potential adsorbents for rhodamine-B removal from dilute aqueous solutions.

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Keywords
Rhodamine-B, formaldehyde, sulphuric acid, treated sawdust, adsorption