Application of chitosan-alginate biocomposite for adsorption of Erythrosine B dye from wastewater: isotherm and kinetic study

Biocomposite materials are effective and efficient adsorbents in the treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater. In this study, the adsorption properties of chitosan (Ch)-alginate (A) biocomposite for Erythrosine B (EB) dye were investigated. FT-IR, SEM-EDX, and zero-charge point analyses support the idea that the adsorption process may occur via hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions between dye molecules and functional groups on the surface of Ch-A biocomposite. The maximum adsorption capacity of Ch-A biocomposite was found to be 319 mg g-1. The adsorption energy value was found to be 7.76 kJ mol-1, which indicates the physical nature of the adsorption process. Adsorption kinetics showed that the adsorption process first occurs as rapid adsorption onto the surface and then as relatively slow intraparticle diffusion. Adsorption thermodynamic studies showed that the adsorption process is endothermic and spontaneous. When all adsorption studies are evaluated together, Ch-A biocomposite is an alternative, effective, efficient, and promising adsorbent for better environmental protection and public health safety in removing EB dye from wastewater. We hope this study can successfully guide the development of new and more powerful approaches to reduce EB dye pollution in wastewater. It is of critical importance to protect the environment and human health from the toxic effects of EB dye that threatens life and enters wastewater. Because a clean environment means a more livable world for future generations.