Adsorption and Isotherm Studies on Separation of Methyl Orange by Chitosan-modified Activated Carbon

Abstract

Water contamination from industrial dyes such as Methyl Orange (MO) presents a significant environmental challenge due to their toxicity and persistence. In this study, low-cost activated carbon derived from Aloe Vera leaf waste was modified with chitosan to prepare a biodegradable adsorbent for MO removal. The removal of such carcinogenic, non-biodegradable, and environmentally harmful dyes from aqueous systems is critical to addressing sustainability concerns. The chitosan-modified activated carbon demonstrated enhanced adsorption capacity, achieving a maximum removal efficiency of 76.19% at pH 2, with equilibrium reached within 45 minutes. The adsorption process was well described by the Langmuir isotherm model, confirming monolayer adsorption on homogeneous surfaces. The use of aloe vera leaf waste, treated with chitosan, offers a low-cost, eco-friendly, and renewable solution. This biosorbent, rich in functional groups and derived from naturally abundant waste materials, shows considerable potential as a sustainable alternative for dye removal from wastewater.