Adsorption study of methylene blue dye using activated carbon prepared from waste palm fiber

The study investigated the utilization of waste palm fiber as an adsorbent for methylene blue (MB) removal. The waste palm fiber was treated by a series of steps to prepare an activated charcoal adsorbent. The adsorption process of MB on the activated charcoal was modeled using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) in the response surface methodology (RSM). Adsorbent mass, solution pH, temperature, and time were selected as factors, while removal efficiency and adsorption capacity were chosen as responses. Both models were significant with correlation factors of 0.85 and 0.99 for removal efficiency and adsorption capacity, respectively. Optimal conditions for MB removal were achieved at an initial pH of 7, an adsorbent dose of 0.05 g/L, and a contact time of 30 min, resulting in a 99% removal efficiency. The adsorption of MB using the activated charcoal indicates the physical nature of the reaction.