Enhanced decolorization of reactive black 5 dye by active carbon sorbent-immobilized-cationic surfactant (AC-CS)

Activated carbon-immobilized-cationic surfactant (AC-CS) was designed to enhance the decolorization behavior of reactive black 5 (RB5), as an anionic dye, from aqueous and industrial wastewater samples in presence of various controlling experimental conditions. Experimental data indicated that the dye adsorption capacity by (AC-CS) was higher in strongly acidic and basic solutions. An anion exchange and ion–ion interaction mechanisms were proposed in the acidic solution, while only anion exchange mechanism was suggested in the basic aqueous solution. The adsorption behavior and thermodynamic parameters were also evaluated. Treatments of textile industrial wastewater and real water samples were successfully established (95.23–100.00%).