Preparation and characterization of microwave-modified adsorbents from casuarina equisetifolio seeds for dye adsorption application

Abstract

Nowadays, numerous approaches have been focused for the development of cheaper, effective and environment friendly adsorbents as alternatives to replace activated carbon and other adsorbents. In this study, raw Casuariana equisetifolia seeds and p-toluene sulfonic acid as well as sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treated seeds with and without microwave treatment were used as adsorbents for the malachite green (MG) and neutral red (NR) dye removal. The treated adsorbents were prepared by soaking the seeds in the p-toluene sulfonic acid and NaOH. The microwave-modified adsorbents were prepared by treating the seeds in the microwave oven with the frequency of 2.34 GHz, 800 W and 8 min irradiation time before the seeds were treated with the p-toluene sulfonic acid and NaOH.