What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to synthesize and evaluate bamboo-derived magnetic activated carbon for removing cationic and anionic dyes from wastewater.

May 20, 2026Open Access

Sustainable Bamboo-Based Magnetic Activated Carbon for Adsorption of Cationic and Anionic Dyes from Wastewater: Kinetics, Isotherms, and Thermodynamics

Key Points

The aim is to synthesize and evaluate bamboo-derived magnetic activated carbon for removing cationic and anionic dyes from wastewater.
Synthesis of bamboo-derived magnetic activated carbon through thermal carbonization and magnetic oxide inclusion.
Characterization using SEM, EDX, BET, FTIR, XRD, and TGA/DTA.
Batch adsorption tests examining various parameters such as contact time, pH, and temperature.
Maximum adsorption capacities were 58.9 mg/g for methylene blue, 56.3 mg/g for methyl orange, and 32.7 mg/g for sunset yellow.
Adsorption kinetics showed equilibrium was reached in 60–70 minutes, with adsorption being spontaneous and exothermic.
The process is primarily driven by chemisorption, following a pseudo-second-order model, characterized by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding.

Abstract

This study presents the synthesis and use of a novel bamboo-derived magnetic activated carbon (BMAC) for the effective removal of cationic and anionic dyes, specifically methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and sunset yellow (SY), from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent was synthesized using thermal carbonization and subsequent inclusion of magnetic oxide, yielding a porous structure with improved adsorption and magnetic separation properties. Thorough characterization utilizing SEM, EDX, BET, FTIR, XRD, and TGA/DTA validated the creation of a highly porous material including uniformly dispersed magnetic particles and several surface functional groups. Batch adsorption tests were performed to examine the influences of contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, pH, and temperature. The findings indicated rapid adsorption kinetics, with equilibrium reached in around 60–70 min, and adsorption capacity ranked as MB > MO > SY. Augmenting adsorbent dosage enhanced removal efficiency but diminished adsorption capacity per unit mass due to site unsaturation. The maximum adsorption capacities (qm) of BMAC were 58.9, 56.3, and 32.7 mg/g for MB, MO, and SY, respectively, as determined from the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating superior performance compared with other reported magnetic activated carbon. The adsorption process was determined to be exothermic and spontaneous, as evidenced by thermodynamic characteristics. The equilibrium data were optimally characterized by the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating monolayer adsorption, whereas the kinetic studies conformed to the pseudo-second-order model, signifying that chemisorption is predominant. The adsorption mechanism encompasses electrostatic interactions, π–π stacking, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, pore filling, and surface complexation with magnetic oxides. The findings indicate that BMAC is an efficient, sustainable, and magnetically recoverable adsorbent for the elimination of both cationic and anionic dyes from wastewater.

Sustainable Bamboo-Based Magnetic Activated Carbon for Adsorption of Cationic and Anionic Dyes from Wastewater: Kinetics, Isotherms, and Thermodynamics

Key Points

Abstract

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