ADSORPTION OF METHYLENE BLUE DYE FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING BIO-WASTE POPLAR FIBER

Poplar fiber corresponds to the seed hairs of the Populus genus trees and is a naturally abundant lignocellulosic fiber with the features of thin-walled large lumen, lightweight and hydrophobic properties. Based on the structure and properties exhibited by poplar fiber nominate it as a highly favored adsorbent material for cationic dyes. This study aims to determine the adsorption efficiency for methylene blue (MB) dye with chemically enhanced poplar fibers and compare its capacity with milkweed fibers. Prior to adsorption experiments, the fibers were treated with NaOH solution to remove the wax coating attached on the fiber surface. Adsorption studies were performed in a batch system using dye solution with initial dye concentration of 50 mg L^-1. The adsorbent dosage was evaluated at 10 g L^-1 amount, with contact time of 3 h and without pH adjustment. After the experiments, the remaining dye concentration in liquid was quantified in UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The results revealed that poplar fiber exhibited higher adsorption capacity compared with milkweed fiber. Poplar fibers were efficient to decolorize MB dye solution, reaching a higher color removal percentage than milkweed fibers. It can be concluded that poplar fibers were alternative adsorbents for removing cationic dyes due to their hollow structure.