Full Paper Adsorption of acid dyes of the monoazo and anthraquinone class from aqueous solutions using high surface area cassava peel-based activated carbon Olugbenga Solomon Bello 1,# 1 School of Chemical Engineering, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Palau Pinang, University Sains, (MALAYSIA) # Department of P/A Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, P.M.B 4000, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, (NIGERIA) E-mail: osbello@yahoo.com Received: 10 th February, 2011 ; Accepted: 20 th February, 2011 KEYWORDS Cassava; Precursor; Activated carbon; Dyes. ABSTRACT Cassava is one of the most important food sources in Nigeria. Cassava peel (CP) is an agricultural waste from food and starch processing indus- tries. In this study, CP was used as a precursor for activated carbon prepa- ration. Activated carbons were prepared from CP using both physical and chemical activation methods; they were characterized using Brunauer- Emmett Teller (BET), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Scanning Elec- tron Microscope (SEM) and proximate analyses respectively. Their effi- ciencies were tested in the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions. The two activated carbons were efficient in the adsorption of eight, structur- ally related, acid dyes of the monoazo and anthraquinone class in aque- ous solutions; the CP activated with chemical method showed higher percentage removal efficiencies (90-100%) than the physically activated one (74-89%).  2011 Trade Science Inc. - INDIA INTRODUCTION Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a storage root crop which serves as a staple foodstuff for more than 500 million people throughout tropical Africa as a result of its carbohydrate rich and low protein contents [1] . Cassava production is high in Nigeria as it is utilized by traditional food industries, the rest are used as the raw material for cassava starch industries. Cassava starch producing operation produces large amount of cassava peels (CP) and direct discharge of these solid wastes cause environmental problems. This becomes a by- product from cassava processing after harvest with little use, its uncontrolled spill (e.g. in rivers and streams) cause serious environmental problems. Natural and synthetic organic dyes are extensively used in textile industries. Particularly, the acid dyes of the monoazo and anthraquinone class are used in the dyeing of wool, silk, acrylic and nylon. The discharge of colored wastewater from textile industries into rivers and lakes has caused many problems in the aquatic life because the color reduces light penetration, which has derogatory effect on the photosynthetic phenomenon [2] . The commercial activated carbon is the most widely An Indian Journal Trade Science Inc. Volume 6 Issue 3 PCAIJ, 6(3), 2011 [141-145] Physical CHEMISTRY Physical CHEMISTRY ISSN : 0974 - 7524