Abstract

Fe(III)-loaded adsorbent (FLA) was prepared from waste wet-white. As a new adsorbent, its behaviour towards anionic dyes, Direct Yellow 11 (DY11) and Acid Yellow 11 (AY11), were investigated. It was found that the FLA is effective in removal of anionic dyes from aqueous solution and acidic pH favours the adsorption. The adsorption capacity of DY11 was significantly increased with an increase of temperature, whilst that of AY11 decreased, due to their difference in molecular structures. The maximum adsorption capacities of DY11 and AY11 at 323K were found to be 302.1 and 490.0 mg.g-1 respectively and the adsorption equilibrium data can be well fitted by the Langmuir model. The adsorption kinetics could be accurately described by a pseudo-second-order rate model. Investigation of column adsorption process indicated that FLA is effective in removal of AY11 from water, and the column can be regenerated by using dilute NH3 solution.