Abstract

• In this study, waste seashell was used as biosorbent for the adsorption of surfactant with and without electrolytes from model aqueous solution at pH 6. Surfactant, Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) was used as modifier. The Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) value of SDS decreased with mixing electrolytes (Na2SO4 and Na3PO4). Therefore, upon addition of Na2SO4 and Na3PO4 in SDS, Na3PO4 decreased the CMC value of SDS more than Na2SO4. Adsorption of SDS on Heat Activated Sea Shell Powder (HASSP-7) sample by batch operations were conducted with different operation parameters such as initial concentration of adsorbate and dosage of adsorbent. The optimum dosage was 0.1 g and initial concentration was 100 ppm. Sorption of SDS on HASSP-7 was conducted with and without electrolytes. The adsorbed amount of SDS was found more with electrolytes than without electrolytes. Moreover, the amount of SDS adsorption with Na2SO4 was high in comparison with Na3PO4. The outcome of the present research is the surfactant consumption can be reduced by adding small amount of electrolytes to the surfactant solutions. It is expected that they can be used in the treatment of paper industrial wastewater containing surfactant (SDS).