Adsorption and Optimization Studies of Congo Red from Solution Using Montmorillonite-Silica Nanocomposite
Shehu Zaccheus
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria.
Danbature Wilson Lamayi *
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria.
Ayuba Linda
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Gombe State University, Gombe, Nigeria.
Bulama Bartholomew Mela
Center for Environmental Management and Control, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Congo red was removed on Montmorillonite-silica nanocomposite from solution by adsorption process. The adsorption parameters studied were adsorbent dose, initial concentration and contact time. The optimum adsorption parameters were found to be 2 mg/L, 1.5 g and 40 minutes for initial concentration, adsorbent dose and contact time respectively with removal percentage of 84.10%. Pseudo first and second order kinetics were used for the studies. Pseudo second order best fit the adsorption process with R2 = 1 than the Pseudo first order which has R2 = 0.933. Experimental data were best fitted by the Langmuir Isotherm with R2 =0.9024 other than the Freundlich Isotherm, R2 =0.568. The RL of 0.994 of the Langmuir isotherm shows the favourability of the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity by Langmuir isotherm was found to be 172. 40 mg/g.
Keywords: Adsorption, Congo Red, nanocomposite, optimization