Adsorption of the anionic dye of congo red from aqueous solution using a modified natural zeolite with benzalkonium chloride

Adsorption of the congo red on surfactant-modified zeolite has been conducted using the batch method. This research was studied to obtain an efficient and good adsorbent for congo red with high adsorption capacity. The influences of solution pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time were determined. The benzalkonium chloride was used as a cationic surfactant to modify the zeolite surface so that it was suitable for the adsorption of congo red. The adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm were also systematically investigated. The result shows that the adsorption of congo red on surfactant-modified zeolite with benzalkonium chloride loading of 300 of external cation exchange capacity had the highest adsorption capacities for anionic congo red. Modification of the zeolite with benzalkonium chloride can be used as a new alternative method for the removal of the anionic dye of congo red from wastewater. © 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.