Adsorption of Cationic Dyes from Aqueous Solutions using Polyaniline Conducting Polymer as a Novel Adsorbent

Abstract

In this research, polyanilline (PANi) as coated film onto sawdust was used for removal of methylene blue (as a typical cationic or basic dye) from aqueous solutions. The experiments were conducted using both batch and column systems. The operating variables studied were initial solution pH, adsorbent mass, initial dye concentration and contact time. The experimental data were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich models of adsorption. In order to find out the possibility of reuse, desorption study was also carried out in this investigation. It was found that the currently introduced adsorbents can be used to remove cationic dyes such as methylene blue from aqueous solutions very efficiently. Regeneration of the column or desorption of the dye uploaded adsorbent can also be achieved using very simple and cost effective method with high performance.