Removal of malachite green from aqueous solution using pulverized teak leaf litter: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies

The removal of malachite green (MG) from aqueous solution using teak leaf litter powder (TLLP) was investigated. The process was influenced by initial concentration, pH and temperature of dye solution as well as TLLP dosage. Optimum removal of MG per gram of TLLP occurred at 2 g/L and at pH 6–8. Dubinin–Radushkevich and Freundlich isotherm models fit the batch adsorption data better than Langmuir isotherm. The monolayer capacity of TLLP was 333.33 mg/g at 293–313 K. The mean free energy of 7.07 kJ/mol implied physical adsorption. The pseudo-second order model fit the kinetic data better than the pseudo-first order model. Both intraparticle diffusion and film diffusion mechanisms jointly influenced the adsorption process but the latter was the rate-controlling step. Thermodynamic data indicated that the process was endothermic, spontaneous and feasible. Therefore, TLLP could be an important low-cost adsorbent for removal of MG from aqueous solution.