Adsorptive Removal of Cationic Rhodamine B Dye from Aqueous Solutions Using Chitosan-Derived Schiff Base

Abstract

Chemical modification of chitosanwas successfully carried out using 2,3-dihydroxy-benzaldehyde by a chemical condensation reaction. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area,Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-Ray Diffraction methods were performed for characterization of the chitosan-derived Schiff base adsorbent material. The prepared adsorbent’s efficiency in removing Rhodamine B dye from aqueous solution was explored, and experimental data were analyzed using isothermal and kinetic models. The BET surface area of chemically modified chitosan was greatly enhanced 125.8 m²g⁻¹ with mesoporous characteristics. The maximum uptake was recorded at pH 8, while the maximum removal capacity was 233.4 mg g⁻¹(25°C). The kinetic data were better fitted using nonlinear pseudo-first-order.