Thermodynamics of Azo Dye Adsorption on a Newly Synthesized Titania-Doped Silica Aerogel by Cogelation: A Comparative Investigation with Silica Aerogels and Activated Charcoal

[Image: see text] The adsorption isotherms of azo dyes on a newly synthesized titania-doped silica (TdS) aerogel compared to silica aerogels and activated charcoal (AC) are systematically investigated. Monolithic TdS aerogels were synthesized by the cogelation process followed by supercritical drying of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a gel precursor and titanium(IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) as a metal complex precursor for co-polymerization in ethanol solvent. An acid–base catalyst was used for the hydrolysis and condensation of TEOS and TTIP. The effect of Ti(4+) doping in a silica aerogel on the mesoporous structure and the adsorption capacity of methylene blue (MB) and crystal violet (CV) dyes were evaluated from the UV–vis absorption spectra. In order to compare the adsorption isotherms, the surface areas of silica and TdS aerogels were first normalized with respect to AC, as adsorption is a surface phenomenon. The azo dye equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed using different isotherm equations and found to follow the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities for the adsorbent TdS aerogel normalized with the AC of the Langmuir isotherm are 131.58 and 159.89 mg/g for MB and CV dyes, respectively. From the Langmuir curve fitting, the Q(max) value of the TdS aerogel was found to increase by 1.22-fold compared to AC, while it increased 1.25–1.53-fold compared to the silica aerogel. After four cycles, regeneration efficiency values for MB and CV dyes are about 84 and 80%, respectively. The study demonstrates the excellent potential and recovery rate of silica and TdS aerogel adsorbents in removing dyes from wastewater. The pore volume and average pore size of the new aerogel, TdS, were found to be lower than those of the silica aerogel. Thus, a new TdS aerogel with a high capacity of adsorption of azo dyes is successfully achieved.