Characterization and Adsorption Study of Raw Sugarcane Bagasse for Bromophenol Blue Removal

Abstract

To date, sugarcane bagasse has been used as an ideal precursor for the formulation of cost-effective biosorbent for dye degradation for example bromophenol blue. This adsorption analysis contributes to new research data, possibly for the first time, as no similar previous studies have been reported. In this study, adsorption factors which influence the efficacy of dye removal, for instance, contact period (60 minutes), pH (1-6), initial dye concentration (5-25 mg/L), particle size (0.125-0.5 mm) and biosorbent dose (0.01-0.2 g/L) were evaluated. The raw and BPB treated biosorbents were analysed using FTIR and SEM. Findings from this study suggest that 15 mins of the contact period, pH 1, dye concentration at 5 mg/L, sugarcane particle size at 125 microns and biosorbent dose at 0.1 g/L were optimum conditions for removal of bromophenol blue at 99.97% efficiency. The FTIR results showed variations between raw and dye treated sugarcane bagasse. Alkene, hydroxyl, carboxylic acid and carbonyl were presented in the IR spectra as vital chemical moieties of sugarcane bagasse. The SEM findings showed that sugarcane bagasse has peculiar pores and a fibrous texture. This raw agricultural waste is therefore strongly recommended as an efficient biosorbent for dye adsorption.