Adsorptive remediation of bromocresol green dye in an aqueous solution using acid activated carbon adsorbent

Abstract In this study, sawdust-derived activated carbon (SDAC) was synthesized from rubberwood sawdust through phosphoric acid activation followed by carbonization. Characterization of SDAC before and after adsorption, using various analytical techniques, confirmed considerable changes on activated carbon’s surface. Batch adsorption studies were performed to evaluate the removal efficiency of bromocresol green (BCG) dye under varying conditions of initial BCG concentration (25–100 mg/L), SDAC dosage (0.25–1.0 g/L) and adsorption time (0–60 min). The results revealed that SDAC achieved a high removal efficiency of 99.7 % and a maximum capacity of 83.65 mg/g. The experimental data closely fit the Langmuir isotherm model, with a theoretical maximum capacity of 85.47 mg/g, and followed pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating a chemical adsorption process. These results confirm SDAC as a highly effective and sustainable adsorbent for dye remediation in aqueous environments.