AI Insight
This study presents a one-part geopolymeric hybrid composite synthesized from glauconite, talc, and activated carbon derived from olive seed waste, designed for the adsorption of Congo red dye from aqueous solutions. The composite was formulated without requiring pre-dissolved alkaline activators, simplifying production while incorporating industrial and agricultural byproducts as raw materials. The resulting material demonstrated effective removal of Congo red, with adsorption performance evaluated through standard equilibrium and kinetic models.
Why it matters
Textile and industrial wastewater contaminated with synthetic dyes such as Congo red poses significant environmental and health risks, and this research offers a low-cost, waste-derived adsorbent that could contribute to more sustainable water treatment approaches. The use of geopolymer chemistry with agricultural residues supports circular economy principles by valorizing waste streams that would otherwise require disposal.