Direct Red 81 (DR-81) dye with a very high water solubility is widely used in many industries particularly textile industries. This study aimed to evaluate the practicability of using iron filings for the adsorption of DR-81 dye from the aqueous solutions. The effects of pH, adsorbent dose, initial DR-81 dye concentration, and adsorption time on adsorption process were also evaluated. The maximum of adsorption efficiency of DR-81 dye achieved in the optimum pH: 3, adsorbent dose: 2.5 g/L, contact time: 30 min, and initial dye concentration: 50 mg/L. The dye adsorption efficiency is increased by increasing the adsorbent dose and adsorption time. The kinetic and isotherm studies indicated that the adsorption process obeys a pseudo-first-order and Langmuir isotherm models. The experimental studies indicated that iron filings had the potential to act as an alternative adsorbent to remove the DR-81 dye from an aqueous solution.

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