Adsorptive removal of cationic methylene blue and anionic Congo red dyes using wet-torrefied microalgal biochar: Equilibrium, kinetic and mechanism modeling

• Main Authors: Yu, Kai Ling, Lee, Xin Jiat, Ong, Hwai Chyuan, Chen, Wei-Hsin, Chang, Jo-Shu, Lin, Chich Sheng, Show, Pau Loke, Ling, Tau Chuan
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier 2021
• Subjects: QH Natural history; TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery; TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/25898/; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115986

The main finding of the work: The adsorption of dye removal using microalgal biochar derived from the wet-torrefaction conversion process is addressed which is conducive to wastewater treatment. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd This study aims to investigate the adsorption behavior of cationic and anionic dyes of methylene blue (MB) and Congo red (CR) onto wet-torrefied Chlorella sp. microalgal biochar respectively, as an approach to generate a waste-derived and low-cost adsorbent. The wet-torrefied microalgal biochar possessed microporous properties with pore diameter less than 2 nm. The optimum adsorbent dosage of wet-torrefied microalgal biochar for MB and CR dyes removal were determined at 1 g/L and 2 g/L, respectively, with their natural pHs as the optimum adsorption pHs. The determined equilibrium contact times for MB and CR were 120 h and 4 h, respectively. Based on the equilibrium modeling, the results revealed that Langmuir isotherm showed the best model fit, based on the highest R2 coefficient, for both the adsorption processes of MB and CR using the wet-torrefied microalgal biochar, indicating that the monolayer adsorption was the dominant process. From the modeling, the maximum adsorption capacities for MB and CR were 113.00 mg/g and 164.35 mg/g, respectively. The kinetic modeling indicated the adsorption rate and mechanism of the dyes adsorption processes, which could be crucial for future modeling and application of wet-torrefied microalgal biochar. From the results, it suggests that the valorization of microalgae by utilizing wet-torrefied microalgal biochar as the effective adsorbent for the removal of toxic dyes with an approach of microalgal biorefinery and value-added application to the environment is feasible. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd