Methylene blue adsorption by timbauva (Enterolobium contortisiliquum)-derived materials

Liquid effluents from various dyeing industries often have a high concentration of dyes that diffuse into river systems and can be toxic and non-degradable in the environment. In this study, the potential of the use of timbauva seed husks in the preparation of four adsorbents tested in the removal of methylene blue was analyzed: in natura, chemically activated material (q(max) = 1.24 +/- 0.04 mg g(-1)), carbonized (q(max) = 1.96 +/- 0.03 mg g(-1)), and activated carbon (q(max) = 1.983 +/- 0.04 mg g(-1)). The adsorbents were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and CHN elemental analysis to assist in the proposed dye adsorption mechanism in the adsorbents tested. In the adjustment of the kinetic parameters, the pseudo-second order model was predominant by the statistical analysis of the ARE and R-2. The carbonized samples were better adjusted to Langmuir isotherms. The removal efficiency of the methylene blue dye in aqueous solutions at the concentrations and conditions studied was 86.78%. The coal from the seed husks of timbauva has shown excellent performance in adsorption of the methylene blue dye and, therefore, can have technological application.