Investigating the adsorption potential of char derived from waste latex for methylene blue removal

Thachnatharen Nagarajan; Khirthiga Vilosamy; Gunasunderi Raju; Subramani Shanmugan; Rashmi Walvekar; Sarvesh Rustagi; Mohammad Khalid

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141936

Investigating the adsorption potential of char derived from waste latex for methylene blue removal

Chemosphere. 2024 Apr 11:358:141936. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141936. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Thachnatharen Nagarajan¹, Khirthiga Vilosamy², Gunasunderi Raju³, Subramani Shanmugan⁴, Rashmi Walvekar⁵, Sarvesh Rustagi⁶, Mohammad Khalid⁷

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Defence Science and Technology, National Defence University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
² School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
³ School of Distance Education, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Minden, Penang, Malaysia. Electronic address: rgunasunderi@usm.my.
⁴ Nano Optoelectronics Research Laboratory, School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
⁵ Faculty of Innovation and Technology, School of Engineering, Chemical Engineering Programme, No.1 Jalan Taylor's, Taylor's University Malaysia, 47500, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia; Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, 174103, India.
⁶ School of Applied and Life Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India.
⁷ Sunway Centre for Electrochemical Energy and Sustainable Technology (SCEEST), School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, No. 5 Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia; Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Punjab, 140401, India. Electronic address: khalids@sunway.edu.my.

PMID: 38614393
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141936

Abstract

This study presents the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye using latex char derived from pyrolysis of latex gloves. The adsorption process was investigated systematically using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a Central Composite Design (CCD). The effects of four key variables, namely pH, time, temperature, and adsorbent dosage, were studied using a factorial design enriched with center points and axial points. Experimental data were analyzed using a second-order polynomial regression model to construct a response surface model, which elucidated the relationship between the variables and MB removal efficiency. The study found that the char obtained at 800 °C exhibited the highest adsorption capacity due to its increased carbonization, expanded surface area, and diverse pore structure. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) confirmed the significance of the quadratic model, with remarkable agreement between predicted and experimental outcomes. Diagnostic plots validated the model's reliability, while 3D contour graphs illustrated the combined effects of variables on MB removal efficiency. Optimization using DoE software identified optimal conditions resulting in a 99% removal efficiency, which closely matched experimental results. Additionally, adsorption isotherms revealed that the Freundlich model best described the adsorption behavior, indicating heterogeneous surface adsorption with multilayer adsorption. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the adsorption process of MB dye using latex char, with implications for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

Keywords: Dye adsorption; Latex waste; Pyrolysis; Response surface methodology.