Kinetics of adsorptive removal of Congo red using activated kola nut pod

Abstract

The objectives of this study is to evaluate the kinetics for the adsorption of Congo red (CR) onto activated kola nut pod (AKP) from aqueous solutions using a batch adsorption process. The effect of contact time (10 min to 180 min) and initial concentration (5 mg/l to150 mg/l) of the adsorption of CR onto AKP were optimized. Characterization of the adsorbent was undergone using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the result obtained showed shifting and disappearance of peaks after adsorption. The results of the adsorption kinetics revealed that Congo red (CR) was adsorbed according to the pseudo second-order kinetic model, the data showed the highest correlation coefficient for pseudo Second-order (0.997) and an agreement between the amount adsorbed experimentally (1.907 mg/g) and the calculated amount (1.839 mg/g).

Keywords: Activation, Adsorption, Congo red, Dye, Kinetics