Preparation and Characterization of African Star Apple Seed Shell (Chrysophyllum Africanum) For The Removal of Acid Red 9

Abstract

Kabiru  Usman, H. Abba and O. R. A. Iyun

In the present work, activated carbon (AC), prepared from the shells of  African star apple seed (Chrysophyllum Africanum)   (and modified with H₃PO₄) were characterized (with SEM and FTIR) and applied for the adsorption removal of Acid red 9 dye from aqueous solution. The scanning electron micrograph of the adsorbent showed an unsmooth appearance with irregularly arranged molecular units while the FTIR spectrum showed some carbon associated bonds. The application of the Central Composite Design (CCD) for response surface analysis led to a projection that 97% removal of acid dye could be achieved in 60 minutes with an adsorbent dosage of 1.4 g at a pH of 6. The adsorption isotherm parameters were analyzed. The adsorption process followed Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption capacity of this seed can be utilized for the treatment of strongly polluted industrial wastewaters containing acid dye.