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Abstract
The optimization of Orange G adsorption using kola nut shell activated carbon (KNS-AC) was studied using response surface methodology (RSM). The activated carbon was prepared from kolanut shell (KNS) using the chemical method of activation. Some physical properties of the carbon such as surface area, pH, moisture content, ash content, and bulk density were determined. The samples were characterized using the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to determine the functional groups and the surface morphology of the adsorbent, respectively. Preliminary adsorption studies were carried out on pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage and initial ion concentration to determine the significance of the parameters on adsorption of the dye using Graeco-Latin Square at 0.05 significant levels. The parameters shown to be more significant were adsorbent dosage, initial ion concentration and pH. Central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the factors. A quadratic polynomial model was developed and its predicted values were in very close agreement with the experimental result, thereby confirming its reliability and validation. The optimum conditions for the adsorption was shown to be at 30 °C, 60 min, 0.30 g of adsorbent dosage, initial ion concentration of 100 mg/l and pH 6.0 which resulted in 93.93% of orange G adsorbed. The adequacy of the model was verified using the optimal conditions generated by the CCD. The study showed that kola nut shell is a suitable adsorbent for orange G removal from aqueous solution and CCD can be used to optimize the adsorption process.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.