Novel cellulose-based biosorbent from lemongrass leaf combined with cellulose acetate for adsorption of crystal violet.

A novel biosorbent from lemongrass leaf fibers incorporated with cellulose acetate (TLGL-CA) was prepared and its properties and adsorption capacity toward crystal violet (CV) were investigated. The good adhesion between TLGL and CA in TLGL-CA sheet was revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and tensile properties. The potential of the biosorbent for CV adsorption was indicated by its high swelling capacity and the presence of functional groups of lignocellulose. Adsorption results obtained at different contact times and initial CV concentrations fitted well with the pseudo-second order model. The adsorption data at equilibrium were well described by the Langmuir isotherm model and the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was 36.10 mg g-1 at 25 °C. In the desorption study, five adsorption-desorption cycles of CV were successfully repeated with TLGL-CA sheet, using acetic acid as the desorbing agent. Based on the study results, it was concluded that the developed biosorbent is effective, inexpensive, and convenient to use for the removal of cationic dye in wastewater.