Functionalization of powdered walnut shell with orthophosphoric acid for Congo red dye removal

This study investigates the adsorption of Congo red dye on walnut shell powder based activated carbon in batch process (WNAA). Walnut shell powder was carbonized by treating with phosphoric acid (H3PO4), and the adsorbent was characterized using Fourier Transform-Infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and pH point of zero charge (pH(pzc)), respectively. Operational parameters such as contact time, initial dye concentration, and pH were investigated using batch-adsorption techniques. The adsorption uptake was found to increase with increase in initial dye concentration and contact time. The optimum CR dye uptake was observed at pH 3.12 corresponding to 94.53% removal. Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and Intraparticle diffusion kinetic models were used to test the adsorption data. The pseudo-second order exhibited the best fit out of the four kinetic models used. Equilibrium data were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models. Langmuir model fitted the adsorption data most with maximum monolayer coverage of 40 mg/g. Thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, entropy, and the activation energy were determined. It was found that Congo red dye adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. 0.02M Hydrochloric acid was used to regenerate the adsorbent prepared, and the regenerated adsorbent was used for dye adsorption. Congo red dye adsorption capacity ranged from 90% to 93% at three consecutive times. This study has shown that walnut shell is a good adsorbent in the treatment of Congo red dye from aqueous solutions.