Adsorption of methylene blue onto surgical mask-based magnetic activated carbon

Abstract

For the preparation of activated carbon from surgical mask, ferric chloride was used as an activator. Experiments were conducted to determine the batch adsorption isotherms and kinetics of methylene blue (MB) on magnetic activated carbon (MAC). The Langmuir and Freundlich models were used to analyse experimental equilibrium data. The results show that the Langmuir isotherm equation provided the best fit, with a maximum MB adsorption capacity of 38 mg/g. The kinetic data obtained at various initial MB concentrations were analysed using pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and intraparticle diffusion models. The pseudo-second order model accurately described the adsorption kinetic data.