Investigation of Reacting Parameters to Improve Cationic Dye Adsorption onto Raw Pomegranate Peel

The current study investigated the ability of Moroccan pomegranate peel to reduce Methylene blue (MB) in aqueous media. Several reacting parameters were considered, including the dose of adsorbent, initial MB concentration, contact time, initial pH of the dye solution, ionic strength, as well as temperature. The experiments were conducted in a batch system to investigate MB adsorption. The results revealed a remarkably fast adsorption rate, with equilibrium being achieved within just 60 minutes. The MB adsorption is substantially impacted by the adsorbent dose, the initial pH of the solution, the presence of NaCl in the medium, and the initial dye concentration. The experimental results demonstrate that pomegranate peel exhibits a maximum adsorption capacity of 67.78 ± 0.70 mg/g when a dose of 2 g/L of pomegranate peel is used at a temperature of 25 °C. It was observed that as water temperature increased, MB adsorption decreased. Consequently, the findings indicate the exothermicity of the MB adsorption process. Moreover, the results strongly suggest that raw Moroccan pomegranate peel has promising potential as a biosorbent for treating dyestuff wastewater.