Adsorption of methylene blue on acti̇vated oak charcoal

Nowadays, treatment systems developed for the elimination of environmental and water pollution problems with the development of the industry are vital. One of the purification methods developed especially for the dyestuffs used in the textile industry is the adsorption method. Studies have been concentrated to develop an adsorbent that is both economical and applicable. The choice of an adsorbent that is economical and environmentally friendly is very important in adsorption studies. For this reason, charcoal (MK) produced from oak tree which is abundant in our country was chosen as adsorbent. Due to the low adsorption capacity of the charcoal, it was activated by treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) at 150oC with an acid/sample ratio of 5: 1 (SMK). The adsorbent prepared was characterized by SEM, BET, FTIR, Bohem Titration and surface neutral charge pHpzc analysis. Methylene Blue (MM), the cationic dye, was chosen as the target contaminant. The effects of medium pH, adsorbent amount, and initial concentration of methylene blue and temperature on methylene blue removal were investigated. In addition, adsorption isotherms and adsorption kinetics were studied and appropriate isotherm and kinetic models were determined. It was determined that the adsorption capacity of MM on the SMK was found suitable to Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption capacity of SMK was calculated as 370.85 mg/g. It was determined that adsorption kinetic was suitable for pseudo second order kinetic model and adsorption of MM to SMK from thermodynamic parameters was exothermic. As a result, it was observed that SMK can be used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of MM from aqueous solutions.