Silvernano Particle Loaded on Activated Carbon as Novel Adsorbent for the Removal of Acid Yellow 199 Dye

In this study, a new adsorbent, silver nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon (Ag˗NP˗AC) was used for removal of acid yellow199 (AY 199) dye. This novel material was characterized and identified by different techniques such as Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Unique properties of this adsorbent such as high surface area (>1100 m2g-1) and low pore size (<47 A˚) and average particle size lower than 60 A˚ make it possible for efficient removal of Ay199. In batch experimental set-up, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, contact time and pH were investigated. Optimum values were set as pH of 3.0, 0.03g/50mL of adsorbent for initial dye concentration of 15 mgL-1 at 40 min and 25 ±1 ºC. The adsorption of Ay199 follows the pseudo-second-order rate equation in addition to interparticle diffusion model (with removal more than 90%) at all conditions. Equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model, while maximum adsorption capacity was 30 mg g-1 for 0.03 g/50mL of Ag˗NP˗AC. Calculation of various thermodynamic parameters such as, Gibb’s free energy, entropy and enthalpy of the on-going adsorption process also indicated feasibility and endothermic nature of AY 199 adsorption onto Ag˗NP˗AC.