Adsorption of Brilliant Blue Dye on Biochar from the Macroalgae Cladophora glomerata

Abstract Here we describe the utilization of freshwater macroalgae Cladophora glomerata (C. glomerata) biochar at comparatively low cost for the removal of brilliant blue dye (BBD) from aqueous solutions. The macroalgae was successfully converted into biochar through thermal pyrolysis. The chemical and morphological nature of the biosorbent was analyzed through Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The effect of pH, initial concentration and adsorbent dosage were investigated. The removal of brilliant blue increased linearly with increasing adsorbent dose, concentration, and contact duration. Optimized conditions for adsorption were pH 4, contact time of 150 minutes, and adsorbent dosage of 3.0 g. Langmuir isotherm best explained the adsorption data and required parameters and appropriate constants were calculated. These results suggest that C. glomerata may remove dye from aqueous solutions.