The adsorption of dyes in chitin. III. Intraparticle diffusion processes

Intraparticle diffusion processes for the adsorption of dyestuffs onto chitin have been studied. The amount of dye adsorbed per gram of chitin has been plotted against the square root of time. The slope of this plot is linear and has been defined as a rate parameter k. This rate parameter has been determined for a number of process variables, including initial dye concentration, agitation, chitin particle size, chitin mass, temperature, and solution pH. However, sometimes two and even three linear regions are apparent on the root time plots indicating a possible branched pore mechanism. The controlling mechanisms are due to macropores and micropores in the chitin particle creating rapidly and slowly diffusing regions.