Efficient Adsorption of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution by Sulfuric Acid Activated Watermelone Rind (Citrullus lanatus)

The lignocellulose-based dried watermelon rind (WR) was modified with sulfuric acid, namely SWR for enhancement of methylene blue (MB) adsorption from the aqueous solution. According to FT-IR analysis, after the modification of WR with sulfuric acid, the functional groups of R-SO3H, COOH and -OH groups was formated or enhanced on the surface of the WR. Moreover, the point of zero charge (pHpzc) was changed from 6.3 to 4.1 after modification, which widened the range for adsorbing of cationic dye MB. The adsorption process of MB onto the SWR was suitable for pseudo-2nd-order and Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity of Langmuir was found to be 334.45 mg/g at pH 7. In adition, the adsorption process occurs through the electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bridge formation, electron donor-acceptor relationship, and pi -pi electron dispersing force between functional groups on the carbon surface with MB molecules. Depending on functional groups available on the SWR surface, the MB adsorption mechanism can occur in combination with various interactions.