Removal of Methylene Blue from an Aqueous Solution Using a Surfactant-Modified Activated Carbon

Granular coconut shell-based activated carbon that has undergone surfactant modification enhances the removal of methylene blue (MB) from water. Four diverse surfactants “sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES), sodium alpha olefin sulphonates (AOS), alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (BAC) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC)” were used in the modification process of activated carbon. The techniques for MB adsorption on the surface of surfactant-modified activated carbon in aqueous solution will be demonstrated using a variety of variables, such as the effect of surfactant concentration, pH (1–12), MB initial concentration, and contact time, at room temperature (298.15 K). According to the findings, the optimal surfactant concentration for adsorption is that which equates to the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Also, it was observed that the alkaline state became advantageous for the adsorption techniques. On the other hand, as contact time rose, the removal of methylene blue by Virgin-C, SLES-C, and AOS-C increased and eventually achieved a maximum value. The experimental results were analyzed using a variety of models, and it was noted that the isothermal dataset and Langmuir had strong correlations. The dynamics of adsorption were best characterized by the pseudo-second-order model.