Food-grade algae modified Schiff base-chitosan benzaldehyde composite for cationic methyl violet 2B dye removal: RSM statistical parametric optimization

This work aims to apply the use of food-grade algae (FGA) composited with chitosan-benzaldehyde Schiff base biopolymer (CHA-BD) as a new adsorbent (CHA-BA/FGA) for methyl violet 2B (MV 2B) dye removal from aqueous solutions. The effect of three processing variables, including CHA-BA/FGA dosage (0.02-0.1 g/100 mL), pH solution (4-10), and contact duration (10-120 min) on the removal of MV 2B was investigated using the Box-Behnken design (BBD) model. Kinetic and equilibrium dye adsorption profiles reveal that the uptake of MV 2B dye by CHA-BA/FGA is described by the pseudo-second kinetics and the Langmuir models. The thermodynamics of the adsorption process (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) reveal spontaneous and favorable adsorption parameters of MV 2B dye onto the CHA-BA/FGA biocomposite at ambient conditions. The CHA-BA/FGA exhibited the maximum ability to absorb MV 2B of 126.51 mg/g (operating conditions: CHA-BA/FGA dose = 0.09 g/100 mL, solution pH = 8.68, and temperature = 25 °C). Various interactions, including H-bonding, electrostatic forces, π-π stacking, and n-π stacking provide an account of the hypothesized mechanism of MV 2B adsorption onto the surface of CHA-BA/FGA. This research reveals that CHA-BA/FGA with its unique biocomposite structure and favorable adsorption properties can be used to remove harmful cationic dyes from wastewater.