Abstract

Perlite was utilized as an adsorbent for the removal of malachite green from their aqueous solution. The effects of the initial dye concentration, contact time, adsorbent dose, pH, and temperature were studied for the adsorption of malachite green in batch mode. The dye adsorption equilibrium was rapidly attained after 40 min of contact time. Adsorbent was characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm described the adsorption data over the concentration range (20 – 100 mg/L). The rate parameters of the intra particle diffusion were calculated and compared to identify the adsorption mechanisms. The thermodynamic parameters such as entropy change, enthalpy change, and energy of adsorption were calculated to know the nature of adsorption. The negative values of energy of adsorption and the positive values of enthalpy change suggested that the adsorption process is spontaneous and exothermic. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process obeyed the pseudo first-order kinetic model.

Recommended Citation

Govindasamy, Vijayakumar; Sahadevan, Renganathan; Subramanian, Sivanesan; and Mahendradas, Dharmendira Kumar (2009) "Removal of Malachite Green from Aqueous Solutions by Perlite," International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering: Vol. 7: A43.
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/ijcre/vol7/A43