Surface adsorption of an acidic dye (erionyl blue) on poly(ethylene terephthalate)-grafted-methyl methacrylate/acrylic Acid

In the present study, graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), acrylic acid (AA) mixture onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers was carried out in the presence of benzoyl peroxide( Bz2O2) as an initiator .The modified PET fibers was used for the removal of an acidic dye( EAR), from aqueous solutions via batch technique .The factors controlling the adsorption process were also investigated. The fibers was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) , specific surface area (BET) , cation exchange capacity (CEC) and point of zero charge ( pHzpc). The best results for removal of dye were recorded (pH=4.0, t=30 min, adsorbate concentration=170 mg / L, adsorbent dose=0.2g).The adsorption data were fitted by Harkins-Jura isotherm and Intra-particle diffusion kinetic models, as well. On the other hand, the results of thermodynamic parameters and activation energy emphasized that the process was physisorption, endothermic and spontaneous