Removal of cationic dye from aqueous solution using raw agro wastes as non - conventional low- cost adsorbent

In the present study the use of cheap and ecofriendly biosorbents have been studied as an alternative substitution for commercial activated carbon for the removal of methylene blue from waste water. Batch adsorption study was carried out using inflorescence of Celosia argentea L, stem of Cicer arietinum and cob of Zea mays L as a raw agro waste material. This study investigates the potential use of biosorbents for the removal of methylene blue from waste water. Effects of process parameters such as amount of adsorbent, concentration, temperature and pH were studied. By using uv spectrophotometer concentration of dye was measured before and after adsorption. The adsorption efficiency of different adsorbents was found nearly in the same order. . The percent removal increases with increase in amount of adsorbent and is maximum at low concentration. Adsorption was favorable at room temperature indicating physisorption. The dye removal was maximum at the pH between 8 to 10.The equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms..