Adsorption of Congo Red from Aqueous Solution by a Low-Cost Novel Adsorbent Derived from the Inflorescence of Palmyra (Borassus flabellifer L.) Male Flowers

Batch adsorption method was performed using a low cost acid activated novel adsorbent, inflorescence of palmyra male flowers carbon (IPMFC), for the removal of Congo red (CR) from aqueous solutions at 30±2°C. The effects of agitation time, adsorbent dose, initial dye concentration, pH and temperature were examined. The adsorption capacity was found to be 4.7037 mg/g of the adsorbent for the particle size of 0.15-0.25 mm. Acidic pH was favourable for the adsorption of Congo red. Equilibrium adsorption data were described by both Langmuir and Freundlich models, but Langmuir model was more fitted. Increase in temperature increased the percent removal of CR ions onto IPMFC and it was endothermic in nature.