ABSORPTION STUDIES AND SURFACE CHARACTERIZATION ON THE REMOVAL OF METHYLENE BLUE FROM A SOLUTION USING RAW AND ACTIVATED CARBON DERIVED FROM PERSEA AMERICANA SEED

Abstract

Textile effluents contribute significantly to industrial water pollution, accounting for about 20% of contamination and often containing stable dyes such as methylene blue (MB), which present serious environmental challenges. This study investigated raw and treated avocado (Persea americana) seed powders as inexpensive adsorbents for MB removal. Analytical techniques including SEM–EDX, XRD, and BET showed that the untreated sample had a dense structure, limited porosity, and a moderate surface area of 227.48 m²/g. After activation, the sample showed notable improvements, including a well-developed porous structure, a higher surface area of 863.21 m²/g, and an increase in micropore volume from 0.198 to 0.779 cc/g. XRD results indicated a shift from largely amorphous material to partially graphitized carbon, while EDX analysis revealed increased carbon content and reduced oxygen functionalities. These structural changes enhanced adsorption performance, mainly through physical interactions. The findings suggest that activated avocado seed is an effective, sustainable option for treating dye-polluted wastewater.