Removal of methylene blue from colored effluents by adsorption on montmorillonite clay

In this study, montmorillonite clay (MC) has been utilized as the adsorbent for the removal of a cationic dye, methylene blue (MB), from aqueous solution by the batch adsorption technique under different conditions of initial dye concentration, adsorbent concentration, contact time, solution pH, and temperature. Attempts were made to fit the isothermal data using Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The experimental results have demonstrated that the equilibrium data are fitted well by a Langmuir isotherm equation. Thermodynamic parameters such as the changes in enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs' free energy were determined, showing adsorption to be an endothermic yet spontaneous process. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models were considered to evaluate the rate parameters. The experimental data fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with an activation energy of +28.5 kJ mol−1. The results indicate that MC adsorbs MB efficiently and could be employed as a low-cost alternative in wastewater treatment for the removal of cationic dyes.

Graphical abstractEffect of initial methylene blue concentration on the adsorption onto montmorillonite clay. More MB was retained and the adsorption mechanism became more efficient, as the initial dye concentration increased.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide