Author: Akshatha R. Salian, Shreyaskumar S. Beerakabbi, Namith, Vaishali Rai M

DOI: http://doi.org/10.31788/RJC.2026.1919458

A composite adsorbent material was developed by embedding activated carbon into a chitosan polymeric matrixcross-linked with epichlorohydrin and modified via Schiff base formation for the effective methylene blue dyeremoval and disinfection of wastewater. Characterisation of the adsorbent included FTIR, BET, FE-SEM, andpHpzc analyses. Adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate and optimise the composite's capacityfor methylene blue removal, considering process variables, namely, solution pH (2-11), adsorbent dosage (0.08-0.46g), temperature (303-323 K), and contact time (5-60 min). Kinetic and isothermal models were applied to analyse theadsorption process, and the results showed that the composite exhibited high adsorption efficiency, fitting totheLangmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics, and remained effective after four reuse cycles. Also, the composite was subjected to antibacterial tests against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Theresults demonstrated significant antimicrobial properties, suggesting dual functionality in both dye removal anddisinfection of wastewater microorganisms.

Keywords: Methylene Blue, Epichlorohydrin, Chitosan Schiff Base, Activated Carbon, Adsorption.