Removal of Cationic Dye Basic Red 46 from Aqueous Solutions Using a Superabsorbent Composite of Zeolite/Acrylic Acid: Isotherm and Kinetic Study

In this research, the superabsorption composite of zeolite/acrylic acid was investigated to remove the cationic dyes from textile effluent. Basic Red 46 (BR46) was used as cationic dye. The surface characteristics of composites were investigated using Fourier Transform infra-red and scanning electron microscope. The influence of process variables such as adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration and pH were studied. The isotherm and kinetic of dye adsorption onto composites were studied. The results indicated that the data for adsorption of BR46 onto composites fitted well with Langmuir isotherms. The rates of sorption were found to conform to pseudo-second order kinetic with good correlation. Results indicated that composites could be used to remove the cationic basic dyes from contaminated watercourses.