The study investigates the effectiveness of binary adsorbent systems, composed of natural olive pulp and ZrO2, for the removal of the carcinogenic azo dye Congo red from wastewater.
Water pollution is a persistent issue, particularly from industrial sources such as dyeing and textile manufacturing. Among the various dyes used, Congo red (CR) stands out for its toxicity and carcinogenic properties, posing significant risks to aquatic life and human health. To address this environmental challenge, researchers at Karabuk University have explored the potential of combining organic waste materials with inorganic adsorbents for enhanced dye removal.
This research examined the adsorption performance of both olive pulp, which is often discarded as waste, and ZrO2, an inorganic metal oxide with known adsorption capabilities. The researchers prepared binary adsorbent systems with varying weight ratios of olive pulp to ZrO2 through ball-milling—a cost-effective and environmentally friendly technique.
Characterization of these adsorbents was carried out using advanced techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). These characterizations helped elucidate the structural and functional changes occurring during the adsorption process.
Results showed considerable variation in adsorption capacities, with the maximum capacity for pure olive pulp reaching impressive levels, especially at higher temperatures. Specifically, through Langmuir isotherm modeling, the researchers noted optimal performance for the 75% olive pulp and 25% ZrO2 configuration, confirming the benefits of integrating organic and inorganic materials.
The study also highlighted how the presence of olive pulp contributes beneficially to dye adsorption, combining its chemical properties with the stability of ZrO2. Notably, the adsorption heats varied for the different compositions, indicating differing adsorption mechanisms at play.
Given the realities of water pollution, particularly due to harmful chemical effluents, the findings of this study are pertinent. The results signify not only the feasibility of utilizing waste materials such as olive pulp but also the performance enhancements achievable when integrating such organic solutions with traditional inorganic adsorbents.
These findings are expected to inform the development of more sustainable approaches to wastewater treatment. Further research is proposed to investigate the long-term effectiveness and reusability of these binary adsorbent systems.