Diatomite chemical activation for effective adsorption of methylene blue dye from model textile wastewater

Abstract

Dye wastewater produced in textile industries is a warning issue that threatens the environment due to discharge into the waterway. This study reviewed the adsorption of Methylene Blue (MB), as a toxic dye, onto diatomite adsorbent. A series of chemical modifications were examined by impregnating diatomite into various acidic and basic solutions to obtain the most active sample with the highest capacity. Both raw diatomite (RD) and modified diatomite (MD) were analyzed under different experimental conditions, such as PH, contact time, the dose of adsorbent to attain the optimum quantities of each in which adsorption capacity and removal percentage were in their highest amount. FESEM analysis indicated the surface characterization and the morphology of both adsorbents. The results of batch experiments showed that the equilibration removal capacities of MB under the optimum condition were 72 mg/g for RD and 127 mg/g for MD. Overall results suggested that due to the low-cost, naturally available, simple treatment methods and materials, and sustainability, the modified adsorbent has the potential for dye removal in the practical process.