The performance of natural and burnt kaolinitic clay were studied to evaluate their capacities for the removal of a reactive dye [Congo Red: sodium 3, 3’-(1E, 1E)-biphenyl-4, 4’-diylbis(diazene-2,1-diyl)bis(4-aminonaphthalene-1- sulphonate)] from aqueous solution at room temperature (25°C) via batch adsorption. The effect of pH, adsorbent dosage and contact time on the removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solution was also investigated. The concentration of the dye in the solution at equilibrium was determined by spectrophotometry. The equilibrium data seemed to follow both Freundlich and Langmuir models. Maximum adsorption of CR dye was achieved between pH 5 and 9. The burnt kaolinitic clay showed greater capacity for the adsorption of CR dye with maximum adsorption capacity value of 172.4148mg/g as compared to 45.8930mg/g for the natural kaolinitic clay.
