Apricot seed shell: an agro-waste biosorbent for acid blue193 dye adsorption

Locally available apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) seed shell wastes were utilized for the preparation of an efficient dye biosorbent. The as-prepared apricot seed shell powder (ASP) was thoroughly characterized using FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRD, BET surface area, and pH(PZC) measurements to elucidate its functional groups, as well as its surface texture morphology and charge. The effect of several process variables (such as contact time, biosorbent dosage, pH, temperature, and initial concentration) on the dye uptake capacity was also investigated. Based on the experimental finding, the following optimum process conditions were established in the study: pH 2.0, 0.2 g/L adsorbent mass, 30 degrees C, and time of 120 min. The BET surface area, pore volume, and average pore size of the ASP were estimated as 97.493 m(2)/g, 0.0691 cm(3)/g, and 1.922 nm, respectively. The experimental equilibrium and kinetic data were properly described by the Temkin isotherm and pseudo-first-order kinetics model, respectively. Therefore, the effectiveness of ASP as an acid blue 193 dye biosorbent was established in the study.

Automated summary

Apricot seed shell waste was used to prepare an efficient dye biosorbent. The prepared apricot seed shell powder was characterized and the optimal process conditions were determined. The biosorbent was found to effectively adsorb acid blue 193 dye.