Development of a polyaniline-lignocellulose composite for optimal adsorption of Congo red

A polyaniline lignocellulose composite (PLC) was synthesized and used in the removal of Congo red (CR) from aqueous solution. The adsorption process showed good fits to both the pseudo-second-order and pseudo-first-order models and the Redlich Peterson isotherm. Boundary layer diffusion was the rate-limiting step. The adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. The combined effect of pH and initial dye concentration was antagonistic; the combined effect of initial dye concentration and temperature was synergistic, while the combined effect of pH and temperature was reciprocal. The maximum CR adsorption capacity of PLC was evaluated as 1672.5 mg g−1. The optimal removal was calculated as 99.85% at pH 4.29, initial dye concentration of 28.5 mg L−1 and adsorbent dosage of 0.69 g L−1. The predicted removal capacity showed a good correlation to the experimental results. PLC has demonstrated a superior adsorption capacity to many other adsorbents reported and could be used as an efficient adsorbent for CR removal from industrial wastewater.