The removal of basic dyes from aqueous solutions using agricultural by-products

The adsorption of two basic dyes, namely, Malachite Green and Methylene Blue onto both agricultural by-products (i.e. rice bran and wheat bran) has been investigated in this study. The adsorption of both basic dyes was solution pH-dependent. The kinetic experimental data were analyzed using four kinetic equations including pseudo-first-order equation, pseudo-second-order equation, external diffusion model and intraparticle diffusion model to examine the mechanism of adsorption and potential rate-controlling step. The best-fit equation was identified using normalized standard deviation. The Langmuir and Freundich isotherms were used to fit the equilibrium data and the results showed that the Langmuir isotherm exhibited a little better fit to the Methylene Blue adsorption data by both adsorbents while the Freundlich isotherm seemed to agree better with the Malachite Green adsorption. The Gibbs free energy changes at 20 °C were calculated and the obtained values supported the conclusion that two dyes molecules adsorbed by physical processes. The effects of particle size, adsorbent concentration and solution ionic strength on the adsorption of the two basic dyes were also studied.