Ultrasonic assisted removal of sunset yellow from aqueous solution by zinc hydroxide nanoparticle loaded activated carbon: Optimized experimental design

The efficiency of zinc hydroxide nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon (Zn(OH)(2)-NP-AC) in the removal of sunset yellow from aqueous solutions using ultrasonic-assisted adsorption method was investigated. This nanomaterial was characterized using different techniques such as SEM, XRD and UV-vis spectrophotometer. A central composite design (CCD) was used for the optimization of significant factors using response surface methodology (RSM). Under the best conditions (5.2 min of sonication time, pH 3, 0.023 g of adsorbent and 30 mg L-1 of SY), Langmuir model was fitting the experimental equilibrium data well. The small amount of proposed adsorbent (0.023 g) is applicable for the successful removal of SY (>97%) in short time (5 min) with high adsorption capacity (83-114 mg g(-1)). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.