Removal of azo dye from aqueous solution using an anionic polymeric urethane absorbent (APUA)

• For the first time, APUA was used as an adsorbent of the dyes in the solutions.
• Characterization of the adsorbent was carried out using analytical methods.
• Influence of key operating parameters such as temperature and pH was studied.
• Adsorption process was evaluated in homogeneous and heterogeneous systems.

This paper is a report on an original research which investigated the effect of a number of experimental parameters on the removal of Food Red 17 (FR17) from an aqueous solution using anionic polymeric urethane absorbent (APUA) as an adsorbent. The optimum value of adsorbent dose was found to be 35 mg L−1. Further, maximum dye removal took place at pH 3 and 45 °C. The fourth parameter, stirring the solution during the treatment, also resulted in significant removal improvement. The amount of FR17 adsorbed on APUA surface was quantified using the Langmuir equation. UV irradiation was also found to have a positive effect on the removal process. The efficiency of the treatment was verified using FT-IR spectrometry results for APUA, FR17, and APUA-FR17. Finally, the adsorbent was subjected to SEM characterization.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide