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The primary focus of the current investigation was to assess the removal of Rhodamine B dye (RhB) from aqueous solutions using pomegranate peel as a green adsorbent. The chemical and morphological characterization of pomegranate peel was conducted through ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and SEM microscopy. The study also investigated various reactional parameters, kinetic, and adsorption isotherm in a batch system. The results revealed that RhB adsorption reaches equilibrium in about 2 hours, with an adsorption capacity of 19.41 mg/g observed at a 50 mg/L of initial RhB concentration. To model the kinetic of RhB adsorption, two well-known models (pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order) were applied. The pseudo-second-order model yielded a superior fit for the kinetic data, as evidenced by analyses of R², RMSE, ARE, and χ² values. Additionally, the findings suggest that the adsorption process is not solely governed by intraparticle diffusion. Furthermore, isotherm analysis revealed that the Langmuir model offered a more accurate fit to the equilibrium data, estimating the maximum removal capacity to be 47.17 mg/g. These findings suggest that pomegranate peel offers a promisingly eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for sustainable remediation of textile dyeing effluents.

This study explores the production of activated carbon from agricultural waste, specifically Punica granatum peel, and its application as an eco-friendly solution for removing Cu2+ ions from industrial effluents, particularly from copper-plating industries. The Punica granatum peel was chemically activated using ortho-phosphoric acid to produce activated carbon. The activation process involved impregnation followed by thermal activation at 500°C. The resultant activated carbon was characterized using FTIR, TGA/DTA, and adsorption tests at room temperature and pH 5, which demonstrated a Cu2+ ion retention rate exceeding 95% within the first 15 minutes. The adsorption kinetics were analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models, while adsorption isotherms were examined using Langmuir and Freundlich models. The study demonstrated that activated carbon derived from Punica granatum peel exhibits high adsorption efficiency for Cu2+ ions, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 19.62 mg/g. The adsorption process was best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the nonlinear Langmuir isotherm model. The results indicate that this activated carbon is an effective and sustainable solution for treating copper-contaminated industrial effluents. This research offers a dual benefit by providing a sustainable waste management solution for agricultural residues and an effective method for treating industrial effluents. Incorporating this activated carbon in post-copper plating rinsing water treatment ensures regulatory compliance and facilitates water reuse. This approach also supports copper recovery and reuse in new plating baths, promoting cyclic material circulation within the industry.