Performance of CuS nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon in the adsorption of methylene blue and bromophenol blue dyes in binary aqueous solutions: Using ultrasound power and optimization by central composite design

In this research, simultaneous adsorption of bromophenol blue (BPB) and methylene blue (MB) dyes in binary mixture onto activated carbon modified with CuS nanoparticle was studied. The CuS nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon (CuS-NP-AC) was synthesized and identifying by SEM and XRD analysis. The effect of pH on their removal percentage in single and binary system was examined, while the individual and combination effects of factor variables such as concentration of MB and BPB, amount of adsorbent and sonication time were studied by central composite design (CCD). Then, the adsorption kinetics and their isotherms investigation in binary solution reveal that data well fitted by Langmuir model in comparison to other models with maximum monolayer loading capacities of 106.4 and 208.3 mg g(-1) of adsorbent for BPB and MB respectively in single component. Ultrasonic is used instead of conventional magnetic stirrer to accelerate mass transfer and simultaneously shortened the removal time and amount of adsorbent. Sonication by lateral bubbling causes enhance in diffusion coefficient and finally enhances the removal percentage. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.