Ultrasonic modified corn pith for the sequestration of dye from aqueous solution

•Ultrasonic assisted corn pith (UACP) was newly prepared for the removal of MG dye.•Experimental data was best obeyed pseudo-first order and Freundlich models.•Langmuir monolayer capacity of UACP was calculated as 488.3 mg g−1.•Sorption capacity of UACP was high as compared with other materials.•UACP appeared to be eco-friendly and low cost material for wastewater treatment.

In this research, the ultrasonic waves were used to prepare the novel material from corn pith for the removal of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solution. The prepared material was characterized by BET, FTIR, SEM, TGA and XRD analyses. Adsorption system followed Freundlich and pseudo-first order kinetic models. Langmuir monolayer capacity of the adsorbent was calculated as 488.3 mg g−1 which was higher as compared with other local materials. Adsorption thermodynamics was found to be exothermic and spontaneous. The adsorber was designed using Freundlich model. The novel material showed good adsorption capacity for sequestration of MG dye from wastewater.

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