Application of Nanocrystalline Iranian Diatomite in Immobilized Form for Removal of a Textile Dye

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation was to immobilize nanocrystalline diatomite within calcium alginate matrix for the adsorption of Direct Red23 (DR23) in aqueous media. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to characterize the samples. As a result, the adsorption process obeyed pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.9934) and Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.9732) with a maximum adsorption capacity of 24.10 mg/g. The value of mean free energy (15.81 kJ/mol) demonstrated that the process has been taken place chemically. As the adsorbent dosage increased from 0.5 to 3.0 g/L, the decolorization efficiency (%) increased from 26.0 to 75.5%, respectively. Inversely, the decolorization efficiency (%) decreased from 98.0 to 29.0% with increasing initial dye concentration from 5 to 160 mg/L, respectively. The negative values obtained for Gibbs free energy (ΔG°) and positive value of enthalpy change (ΔH°) indicated spontaneous and endothermic nature of the process.