Adsorption studies of Cibacron Blue onto both untreated and chemically treated pistachio shell powder from aqueous solutions

Abstract

In order to enhance its adsorption properties, pistachio shell powder was modified first with aqueous HCl solution and then with aqueous NaOH solution. The adsorption of Cibacron Blue dye onto both untreated and chemically treated pistachio shell powder was investigated using a batch adsorption technique. The parameters affecting the adsorption process, namely contact time, pH, adsorbent dose, and initial dye concentration were examined. For both adsorbents, the dye adsorption was favored under acidic conditions (pH 2–3). Equilibrium adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies showed that Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model fitted well to the experimental data.