Activated carbon prepared from pistachio waste for dye adsorption: experimental and CCD-based design

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to activated carbon prepared from pistachio waste by using phosphoric acid as chemical activator agent. Activated carbon adsorbents were prepared from pistachio waste by using phosphoric acid as chemical activator agent.

Design/methodology/approach

The optimum conditions for the highest adsorption performance were determined by central composite design (CCD). The adsorbent was used for the adsorption of dye reactive black 5 (RB5), and the parameters affecting the adsorption were discussed like pH, initial concentration, contact time and adsorbent dosage. The adsorbent synthesized has been characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The kinetic models including pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to investigate the kinetic and isotherms parameters.

Findings

When the dye concentration is 10 mg/L, RB5 dye removal rates reach 87.5 per cent. Moreover, the adsorption process of RB5 follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Freundlich adsorption isotherm.

Practical implications

This study provided a simple and effective way to prepare activated carbon adsorbents from pistachio wastes. This way was conductive to protect environmental from a huge amount of agricultural waste produced and subsequent application for removal of pollutants from aqueous solutions.

Originality/value

The activated carbon adsorbents are prepared via chemical activation, which is prepared with pistachio wastes. There are two main innovations: one is that the novel adsorbents are prepared successfully by waste and the other is that the optimized conditions are designed by CCD.

Citation

Mehralian, M., Goodarzvand Chegini, Z. and Khashij, M. (2020), "Activated carbon prepared from pistachio waste for dye adsorption: experimental and CCD-based design", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 49 No. 2, pp. 136-144. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-06-2019-0052