Effect of Chitosan Content on the Adsorptive Properties of Activated Carbon/Chitosan Composites Toward Rhodamine B

Ariyani, Dahlena; Agustiansyah, Andre Firman; Lili Utami, Umi Baroroh; Irawati, Utami; Junaidi, Ahmad Budi

doi:10.22034/crl.2025.530563.1634

Effect of Chitosan Content on the Adsorptive Properties of Activated Carbon/Chitosan Composites Toward Rhodamine B

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Dahlena Ariyani ¹

Andre Firman Agustiansyah ²

Umi Baroroh Lili Utami ¹

Utami Irawati ¹

Ahmad Budi Junaidi ¹

¹ Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Indonesia

² Laboratory of Biomateria Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Indonesia

https://doi.org/10.22034/crl.2025.530563.1634

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of chitosan content on the synthesis, physicochemical properties, and adsorption performance of activated carbon/chitosan composites for the removal of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye from aqueous solution. This study aims to determine the characteristics, including functional groups, moisture content, and stability of activated carbon/chitosan composites, as well as to obtain data on the ability of activated carbon/chitosan composites in adsorbing RhB. Activated carbon/chitosan composites were prepared with varying weight ratios of activated carbon to chitosan (8:2, 8:4, 8:6, and 8:8) and characterized using Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). FTIR results confirmed the successful incorporation of chitosan onto the activated carbon matrix through hydrogen bonding and functional group interactions. Increasing chitosan content enhanced the presence of polar groups but led to decreased surface area and pore accessibility. The adsorption studies revealed that the composites achieved equilibrium within 60 minutes, with maximum adsorption observed at neutral pH. Adsorption data were best fitted by the Langmuir isotherm model, with maximum adsorption capacities of 71.41, 49.01, 41.84, and 37.59 mg/g for composites with increasing chitosan content, respectively. The data shows that while chitosan introduces functional sites favorable for dye interaction, excessive loading may hinder adsorption due to pore blockage.

Graphical Abstract