Adsorption of malachite green dye from aqueous solution using corn cob

Abstract

The adsorption of malachite green dye by corn cob treated fiber was studied. The corn cob fiber surface was modified with 98% concentrated sulphuric acid to produce a chemically reactive surface for adsorption of malachite green dye. The removal of the malachite green dye from aqueous solution using treated and untreated sulphuric acid corn cob was studied in three different parameters include the effects of dye concentration, adsorbent dosage and contact time. The results showed that higher adsorption percentages were observed at lower concentrations of malachite green. As the adsorbent dosage was increased, the percentage of dye removal increased accordingly. The treated corncob showed a better performance compared to untreated corncob, thus making it an interesting option for dye removal from dilute industrial effluents. This work can be used in design of adsorption columns for dyes removal.