Box-Behnken design with desirability function for methylene blue dye adsorption by microporous activated carbon from pomegranate peel using microwave assisted K2CO3 activation

NOVELTY STATEMENTThe novelty of this research work comes from the conversion of the biomass waste, namely; the conversion of pomegranate peel (PP) into microporous activated carbon (PPAC) via a microwave assisted K2CO3 activation process. The applicability of the PPAC toward the removal of methylene blue dye (MB) was statistically optimized using Box Behnken design in the response surface methodology (BBD-RSM). This research aims to convert pomegranate peel (PP) into microporous activated carbon (PPAC) using a microwave assisted K2CO3 activation method. The optimum activation conditions were carried out with a 1:2 PP/K2CO3 impregnation ratio, radiation power 800 W, and 15 min irradiation time. The statistical Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed as an effective tool for optimizing the factors that influence the adsorption performance and removal of methylene blue (MB) dye. The output data of BBD with a desirability function indicate a 94.8% removal of 100 mg/L MB at the following experimental conditions: PPAC dose of 0.08 g, solution pH of 7.45, process temperature of 32.1 degrees C, and a time of 30 min. The pseudo-second order (PSO) kinetic model accounted for the contact time for the adsorption of MB. At equilibrium conditions, the Freundlich adsorption isotherm describes the adsorption results, where the maximum adsorption capacity of PPAC for MB dye was 291.5 mg g(-1). This study supports the utilization of biomass waste from pomegranate peels and conversion into renewable and sustainable adsorbent materials. As well, this work contributes to the management of waste biomass and water pollutant sequestration.

Automated summary

This research work successfully converted pomegranate peel into microporous activated carbon using a microwave assisted K2CO3 activation process. The activated carbon showed excellent performance in removing methylene blue dye. This study has significance in terms of waste biomass utilization and water pollutant sequestration.