Effects of Initial pH, Contact Time, and Activated Carbon Dosage on the Removal Efficiency of Methylene Blue Through Adsorption Onto Activated Carbon Powder Made From Post-processed Bamboo Chopsticks Using a Box-Behnken Design

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

• Kirsten Joi G. Corpuz, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Marie Janella Dominique N. Alegre, De La Salle University
• Jacob P. Tizon, De La Salle University
• Kerry Cabral, De La Salle University Integrated School - Laguna Campus, Department of Chemical Engineering, De La Salle University

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Materials Engineering (MEN)

School Name

De La Salle University

Track or Strand

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Cabral, Kerry, P.

Start Date

25-6-2026 10:30 AM

End Date

25-6-2026 12:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

DLSU Laguna Campus (In-person) - Enrique K. Razon Jr. Hall - EKR 402

Abstract/Executive Summary

Activated carbon (AC) offers a straightforward, cost-effective method for purifying aqueous solutions contaminated with synthetic dyes. Studies have shown that agricultural waste materials are suitable sources of activated carbon. Bamboo, as a fast-growing, renewable resource, has potential as an affordable alternative to non-organic adsorbents. By converting post-processed bamboo chopsticks into activated carbon, this research aims to understand the effects of initial pH, contact time, and bamboo chopsticks-activated carbon (BCAC) dosage in the removal efficiency of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. Using a Box-Behnken Design (BBD), 15 runs were conducted with different amounts of each chosen parameter. The highest MB removal efficiency achieved was 92.35%, at initial pH 4, contact time 45 min, and 1.0 g/L BCAC dosage. All three parameters were found to have a significant effect (α = 0.05) on removal efficiency. pH and contact time had a significant interactive effect on MB removal efficiency. The model equation was also significant (p = 0.00028) and had a non-significant lack of fit. The findings of this study showcase the potential viability of bamboo, specifically post-processed bamboo chopsticks by converting it into AC.

Keywords

activated carbon; bamboo chopsticks; methylene blue; adsorption; Box-Behnken

Initial Consent for Publication

yes

Statement of Originality

yes