Removal of basic dyes from aqueous solution using Sone sand as an adsorbent

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221 005, India

Manuscript received 14 December 1998, revised 26 April 1999, accepted 17 May 1999

The potentiality of Sone sand from the Sone river, Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh (India) has been investigated as effective adsorbent to remove the dyes from aqueous solutions. The effects of different types of dyes, particle diameter of the adsor­bent, dye concentration, pH of the solution and temperature on the best available adsorbent have been evaluated. The dy­namics of adsorbate transport from bulk to the solid phase has been studied at different temperatures. The applicability of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm suggests the formation of monolayer coverage of the dye molecules on outer surface of the adsorbent. The thermodynamics of dye-sand system indicates spontaneous and exothermic nature of the process. Vari­ous thermodynamic parameters have been evaluated.