Sorption behavior of cationic and anionic dyes from aqueous solution on different types of activated carbons

Y. Al-Degs, Majeda Khraisheh, Stephen Allen, Mohamad Ahmad

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

109 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effect of dye molecular charges on their adsorption from solution was investigated by using different types of activated carbon adsorbents. Two types of model systems were used representing cationic and anionic dyes. Screening investigations using single point tests were used throughout the study. Cationic dyes, of which Methylene Blue is an example, showed a higher adsorption tendency towards activated carbon over anionic dyes represented by an ate-type reactive compound. Of the number of activated carbons tested, only one of the adsorbents showed an exception to this behavior, and a good relation was observed between Methylene Blue capacity and activated carbon performance. The high capacity of cationic dyes in comparison to anionic dyes was also evident in the results obtained by a preliminary kinetic study carried out on the selected systems. Surface net charge of activated carbon and the nature of attractions between the molecules were suggested to be one of the reasons attributed for this behavior.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)91-102
Number of pages12
JournalSeparation Science and Technology
Volume36
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Filtration and Separation
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • General Chemistry

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