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Azolla pinnata: An Efficient Low Cost Material for Removal of Methyl Violet 2B by Using Adsorption Method

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Abstract

Azolla pinnata (AP), a floating aquatic macrophyte, was studied as a potential adsorbent for the removal of methyl violet (MV) in a batch adsorption system. Surface characterisation, effects of particle size, adsorbent dosage, pH, ionic strength and pre-treatments of adsorbent were carried out. The study of the effects of pH and ionic strength suggested that electronic interaction and hydrophobic–hydrophobic interaction might be the major forces of dye interaction. Pseudo 2nd order kinetic model best-fitted the kinetic data indicating that the adsorption process may be controlled by chemical process. The Weber–Morris and Boyd models were used for describing the diffusion mechanism which showed that intraparticle diffusion was not the rate limiting step, and film diffusion or in combination of other mechanisms might be in control. Isotherm modelling showed that the Langmuir model best-fitted the experimental data with q m of 194.2 mg g−1 at 25 °C and 323.4 mg g−1 at 65 °C. Thermodynamic studies showed that the adsorption process is endothermic, spontaneous and with significant change to the internal structure of adsorbent. The estimated activation energy by Arrhenius equation is 54.8 kJ mol−1, which indicates that the adsorption process may be controlled by chemical process. Adsorbent regenerated using NaOH displayed retention of high adsorption capability almost similar to fresh adsorbent even after five consecutive cycles. Ability to regenerate coupled with good adsorption capability suggests that AP has great potential to be utilised as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of MV in real life application.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Government of Brunei Darussalam and the Universiti Brunei Darussalam for their financial support and Centre for Advanced Material and Energy Sciences (CAMES) of Universiti Brunei Darussalam for the use of XRF. A special thank to Dr H.M Thippeswamy of the Department of Agriculture (Soil and Plant Nutrition unit), Ministry of Industrial and Primary Resource, Brunei Darussalam for the provision of the Azolla pinnata sample.

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Correspondence to Muhammad Raziq Rahimi Kooh.

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Disclaimer This study investigate the potential of the freshwater aquatic fern Azolla pinnata in the removal of the methyl violet 2B. However Azolla pinnata is an invasive species and may be illegal to possess in certain countries. To use Azolla pinnata for whatsoever purposes required proper planning and approval with relevant authorities or organizations therefore the authors will not be held accountable for any liabilities incurred from whatsoever usage derived from this work.

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Kooh, M.R.R., Lim, L.B.L., Dahri, M.K. et al. Azolla pinnata: An Efficient Low Cost Material for Removal of Methyl Violet 2B by Using Adsorption Method. Waste Biomass Valor 6, 547–559 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-015-9369-0

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