Trapping Rhodamine B dye using functionalized mango (Mangifera indica) pod

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Rhodamine B (Rh-B) dye poses environmental challenges in aqueous media.
• Effective and sustainable sorbent materials are needed for dye removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of acid-modified mango pod (AMMP) as a sorbent for Rhodamine B (Rh-B) dye removal.
• To characterize AMMP and evaluate its adsorption performance and economic viability.

Main Methods:

• Characterization of raw mango pod (RMP) and AMMP using SEM, EDX, PXRD, FTIR, pHpzc, and BT.
• Batch adsorption experiments to study operational factors and kinetics.
• Analysis of adsorption equilibrium using isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, DR, Temkin).
• Thermodynamic analysis and cost-effectiveness evaluation.

Main Results:

• AMMP exhibited well-developed surface pores suitable for dye adsorption.
• The pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the adsorption process (R² > 0.99).
• The Freundlich isotherm model provided the best fit for equilibrium data, with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 500 mg/g (Langmuir model).
• Adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic.
• AMMP is over 7.5 times cheaper than commercial activated carbon, saving USD 225.2/kg.

Conclusions:

• Acid-modified mango pod (AMMP) is a highly effective, sustainable, and economically viable sorbent for Rhodamine B dye removal.
• The study demonstrates a practical application of agricultural waste for environmental remediation.