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The ability of Marine Biomass-supported Zinc Oxide (CT/ZnO) biocomposite has been tested for the removal of Congo Red (CR) from an aqueous solution. The biomaterial characteristics were analyzed, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed the presence of peaks associated with zinc oxide and calcium carbonate. The optimum conditions for the effective removal of CR onto CT/ZnO are pH= 6, initial CR concentration= 50 mg/L, nanocomposite dosage= 20 mg, contact time= 90 min and temperature= 25°C. Adsorption isotherm studies and kinetic studies were done. Freundlich isotherm fits with the experimental data very well with high coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.984) and experimental maximum dye uptake was 69.43 mg/g. In kinetic studies, pseudo second-order model was obeyed (R2 = 0.998). Thermodynamic properties were assessed, demonstrating the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the adsorption process, accompanied by an increase in randomness. Desorption studies illustrated the bioadsorbent effective reusability for up to four cycles. In conclusion, the CT/ZnO biocomposite proved to be a highly efficient, recyclable, and cost-effective adsorbent for treating dye-contaminated water.
