Methylene Blue Adsorption onto Low Cost Powdered Activated Carbon from Agricultural Waste - Morus Plant

Activated carbon is one of the cheapest materials widely used in removal of pollutants fromwater and industrial effluents. Various wastematerials, obtained from agriculture like rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, oil palmshell, coconut shell, coconut husk, bamboo cane, pongam seed coat, palm tree, cashew nut sheath, rubber seed coat have been reported as the raw materials for preparation of activated carbon. In this study carbon was prepared from Morus plant by chemical activation method. These samples were then activated at 800°C in a muffle furnace. The characterization studies have been carried out to assess their suitability as carbon adsorbents in treatment of dye house effluents. Batch adsorption studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of contact time and adsorbent dose on the removal of methylene blue dye at a temperature of 30°C. The results revealed that they are good adsorbents for the removal of the dye.