Adsorption of Bromocresol Purple Dye from Aqueous Solutions onto Attapulgite Surface
The finding of novel pollutants in a multitude of surface water bodies worldwide has recently caused environmentalists to face challenges. Therefore, the development of low-cost, efficient technologies is required to provide a safe, pollution-free water environment. The attapulgite surface was used in this study because it has a good absorbent surface for removing bromocresol purple dye from its aqueous solutions. Because attapulgite has a high absorption capacity, it can be used to remove pollutants in both its normal and modified states. Factors affecting adsorption were studied, such as the weight of the adsorbent surface, the initial concentration of the adsorbent, contact time, and the effect of temperature. Clay was ground, cleaned multiple times with ionic distilled water to remove any potentially dissolving materials, and then dried at 160°C. After that, each vial was filled with attapulgite clay, which was then placed in contact with the adsorbent at varying temperatures in a water bath with a vibrator. Adsorption data were also applied to isothermal models such as the isotherms of the Freundlich, Temkin, and Langmuir. Their constants showed that the Freundlich model is the most appropriate for the system under study. Thermodynamic parameters such as ∆G°, ∆S° ∆, and H° were also studied, and it was found that the adsorption is of the exothermic type and is non-spontaneous. According to the study, the bromocresol purple dye can be effectively removed using activated attapulgite clay, a cheap and easily accessible adsorbent material that was transported from Iraq.