Adsorption behavior of anionic reactive dyes on H-type activated carbon: Competitive adsorption and desorption studies

A microporous H-type activated carbon was shown to be effective for removing anionic reactive dyes from single and binary component solutions. The extent of the dye adsorption from a single-solute solution was high (0.25-0.42mmol/g). From the binary dye solutions, the experimental data indicated a high degree of competition for active sites and the obtained adsorption capacities were reduced to 0.10-0.26mmol/g. Adsorption data from single dye solutions were correlated using the Langmuir, Ferundlich, and Redlich-Peterson models. Hydrophobic, hydrophobic mechanisms were significant in the adsorption process. Furthermore, the system showed a low extent of desorption.