Removal of Methylene Blue Dye from Aqueous Solution Using Modified Ngbo Clay

This work focused on the removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution using modified clay from Ngbo clay deposit in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The clay was modified to zeolite by alkaline activation at a high temperature. Characterization of the clay was used to determine the properties of the clay. Batch experimental study was employed to determine the effects of process variables. Different isotherm and kinetic models were used to describe the adsorption process. The result showed that aluminium and iron were the major constituents of the clay. Percentage removal of the dye was significantly dependent on temperature, dosage and time. Maximum percentage adsorption of about 97% has been obtained. Pseudo second order best described the kinetic of the adsorption while Freundlich and Henry isotherm models were best in describing the adsorption isotherm. The study has shown synthesised zeolite as an effective, efficient, benign and cheap alternative sorbent for the adsorption of methylene blue from solutions.