Novel biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from cobweb as adsorbent for Rhodamine B: equilibrium isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic studies

Abstract This study has investigated the adsorption of Rhodamine B (Rh-B) dye on novel biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from cobweb. The effects of contact time, initial pH, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage and temperature were studied on the removal of Rh-B and they significantly affected its uptake. Adsorption isotherms were evaluated using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models. The adsorption process was best described by Langmuir isotherm with R 2 of 0.9901, indicating monolayer adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity (q max) of 59.85 mg/g showed that it has relatively high performance, while adsorption intensity showed a favourable adsorption process. Pseudo-second-order kinetics fitted best the rate of adsorption and intra-particle diffusion revealed both surface adsorption and intra-particle diffusion-controlled adsorption process. Negative values of thermodynamic parameters (∆H°, ∆S° and ∆G°) indicated an exothermic and spontaneous adsorption process. The mean sorption energy (E) and activation energy (E a) suggested the uptake of Rh-B onto AgNPs was chemical in nature (chemosorption)