PLANT WASTE UTILIZATION AS ECOFRIENDLY SORBENTS FOR REMOVAL OF REACTIVE DYES FROM WASTEWATER

Abstract

Present work was focused on the removal of reactive dyes involving management of agro-waste (chickpea pods, pea pods, potato peels, onion peels and eucalyptus leaves) directly and their conversion to green biosorbents. Dye removal efficiency was monitored by UV-Visible spectrophotometer and the adsorption process was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
as well. Maximum dye removal (99%) was obtained from chickpea and pea pods while as a natural biosrbents they remove selected dye up to 24.5% and 28.5% respectively. Continuous monitoring showed that decolorization efficiency of selected biosorbent has a direct relationship with contact time. Synergistic effect was observed between green biosorbent and chitosan. Overall findings of present work confirmed that activated carbon of chickpea and pea pods could be an effective and environment
benign (green) adsorbent to remove reactive dyes from industrial effluents.