Preparation of low cost activated carbon from Myrtus communis and pomegranate and their efficient application for removal of Congo red from aqueous solution

In this research, the potential applicability of activated carbon prepared from Myrtus communis (AC–MC) and pomegranate (AC–PG) as useful adsorbents for the removal of Congo red (CR) from aqueous solutions in batch method was investigated. The effects of pH, contact time, agitation time and amount of adsorbents on removal percentage of Congo red on both adsorbents were examined. Increase in pH up to 6 for AC–MC and pH 7 for AC–PG increase the adsorption percentage (capacity) and reach equilibrium within 30 min of contact time. Fitting the experimental data to conventional isotherm models like Freundlich, Langmuir, Tempkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich show that the experimental data fitted very well to the Freundlich isotherm for AC–MC and Langmuir isotherm for AC–PG. Fitting the experimental data to different kinetic models such as pseudo first-order, pseudo second-order, Elovich and intraparticle diffusion mechanism showed the applicability of a pseudo second-order with involvement of intraparticle diffusion model for interpretation of experimental data for both adsorbents. The adsorption capacity of AC–PG and AC–MC for the removal of CR was found to be 19.231 and 10 mg g−1. These results clearly indicate the efficiency of adsorbents as a low cost adsorbent for treatment of wastewater containing CR.

. SEM of activated carbon prepared from Myrtus communis.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► The removal of Congo red from aquatic systems usually is extremely important from the environmental view point.
► Although activated carbon is powerful adsorbent for removal of organic compounds, but it is still considered highly expensive based on the market price of the commercial activated carbon available.
► Recent researches devoted to the preparation AC from agricultural and solid wastes (cheap adsorbent) in removing organic compounds.
► This is for the first time that these new adsorbent applied for dye removal.