COMPARISON OF STINGING NETTLE ADSORPTION PERFORMANCE TOWARDS ANIONIC AND CATIONIC DYES

Stinging nettle was used as lignocellulosic adsorbent for the removal of cationic dye – malachite green (MG), and anionic dye – Congo red (CR), from aqueous solution, without any chemical pretreatment. The adsorption equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model for the adsorption of both dyes, with the calculated maximum adsorption capacity of 270.27 mgg-1 and 172.14 mgg-1 for MG and CR, respectively. The adsorption process was controlled by the pseudo-second-order model in the adsorption of MG and by the pseudo-first-order model in the adsorption of CR. The thermodynamics modelling displayed that the process was spontaneous and endothermic. The π–π electron–donor interaction, hydrogen bonds and pore diffusion may also be effective, besides electrostatic interaction between the adsorbate and the adsorbent in the mechanism of MG and CR uptake.