Biosorption of methylene blue from aqueous solutions by hazelnut shells: Equilibrium, parameters and isotherms

This paper presents a study on the batch adsorption of a basic dye, methylene blue (MB), from aqueous solution onto ground hazelnut shell in order to explore its potential use as a low-cost adsorbent for wastewater dye removal. A contact time of 24 h was required to reach equilibrium. Batch adsorption studies were carried out by varying initial dye concentration, initial pH value (3-9), ionic strength (0.0-0.1 mol L-1), particle size (0-200 mu m) and temperature (25-55 degrees C). The extent of the MB removal increased with increasing in the solution pH, ionic strength and temperature but decreased with increase in the particle size. The equilibrium data were analysed using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The characteristic parameters for each isotherm were determined. By considering the experimental results and adsorption models applied in this study, it can be concluded that equilibrium data were represented well by Langmuir isotherm equation. The maximum adsorption capacities for MB were 2.14x10(-4), 2.17x10(-4), 2.20x10(-4) and 2.31x10(-4) mol g(-1) at temperature of 25, 35, 45 and 55 degrees C, respectively. Adsorption heat revealed that the adsorption of MB is endothermic in nature. The results indicated that the MB strongly interacts with the hazelnut shell powder.