Performance of activated carbon derived from Cymbopogon winterianus distillation waste for scavenging of aqueous toxic anionic dye Congo red: Comparison with commercial activated carbon

Activated carbon derived from distillation waste of java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) by phosphoric acid activation along with commercial activated carbon was evaluated for their scavenging potential toward toxic anionic dye Congo red. Prepared activated carbon was characterized with Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and points zero charge (pHzp). Commercial activated carbon scavenged higher quantity of dye than prepared activated carbon; however, dye uptake rate was faster onto latter. Adsorption behavior is best represented by Freundlich equilibrium and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamics parameters indicate the exothermic nature of reaction. Desorption study allows the superior recycle performance of prepared activated carbon.