Blended Nephelium lappaceum and Durio zibethinus wastes for activated carbon production via microwave-ZnCl2 activation: optimization for methylene blue dye removal

• Published in: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION
• Main Authors: Jawad, Ali H.; Hapiz, Ahmad; Wu, Ruihong; Abdulhameed, Ahmed Saud; Alothman, Zeid A.
• Format: Article; Early Access
• Language: English
• Published: TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC 2024
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences & Ecology
• Online Access: https://www-webofscience-com.uitm.idm.oclc.org/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001214848500001

Herein, this work targets to employ the blended fruit wastes including rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) peel and durian (Durio zibethinus) seed as a promising precursor to produce activated carbon (RPDSAC). The generation of RPDSAC was accomplished through a rapid and practical procedure (microwave-ZnCl2 activation). To evaluate the adsorptive capabilities of RPDSAC, its efficacy in eliminating methylene blue (MB), a simulated cationic dye, was measured. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) was utilized to optimize the crucial adsorption parameters, namely A: RPDSAC dose (0.02-01 g/100 mL), B: pH (4-10), and C: time (2-6 min). The BBD design determined that the highest level of MB removal (79.4%) was achieved with the condition dosage of RPDSAC at 0.1 g/100 mL, contact time (6 min), and pH (10). The adsorption isotherm data is consistent with the Freundlich concept, and the pseudo-second-order versions adequately describe the kinetic data. The monolayer adsorption capacity (q(max)) of RPDSAC reached 120.4 mg/g at 25 degrees C. Various adsorption mechanisms are involved in the adsorption of MB dye onto the surface of RPDSAC, including pi-pi stacking, H-bonding, pore filling, and electrostatic forces. This study exhibits the potential of the RPDSAC as an adsorbent for removal of toxic cationic dye (MB) from contaminated wastewater.