Synthetic dye removal by biosorption on macrophyte

• Grant number: 12/04869-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2012
• End date: June 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Industrial Operations and Equipment for Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Melissa Gurgel Adeodato Vieira
• Grantee: Bruno Tosi Pelosi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project aims to study the removal of a synthetic dye commonly found in textile industrial wastewater, specifically Acid Orange 7, using as bioadsorbent the macrophyte Salvinia cucullata. The study will be conducted in finite bath to each dye in order to evaluate the performance of the macrophyte on the removal of this pollutant from aqueous solutions. The characterization of the bioadsorbent and knowledge of the involved mechanisms (through the identification of the functional groups) in biosorption process of dyes will be determined from the following methods: Potentiometric Titration (pHZPC), Spectroscopy Infrared (FTIR), Thermal Analysis (TG and DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Optical Microscopy. Biosorption assays will be carried out for adsorption kinetics and equilibrium studies. The factors affecting the sorption process such as time of contact, pH of the solution, initial concentration of the dye, adsorvent dosage and temperature will be investigated. Experimental data of adsorption isotherms will be adjusted by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevick (D-R) models. Kinetic models will be evaluated in order to identify potential adsorption process mechanisms. (AU)