Comparative adsorption study of Acid Red 18 on Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Shell and Commercial Activated Carbon

Abstract

Adsorption of Acid Red 18 (AR 18) from aqueous solution on Cocoa(Theobroma cacao) Shell Activated Carbon (CSAC)  and Commercial Activated Carbon (CAC) have been studied comparatively. The influence of various factors such as pH (2.0-10.0), initial concentration (20, 40, 60,80mg/lt) and contact time were investigated for CSAC and optimal experimental conditions was ascertained. The effect of adsorption data were modeled using Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms for CAC and CSAC. Adsorption kinetics was verified by pseudo-first order and pseudo-second models and adsorption capacities have been compared with that of CAC. Results indicated that CSAC could be employed as low cost alternative to CAC in dye removal from aqueous solution.