Abstract: This research explores the potential of iron filings as a sustainable adsorbent for the removal of synthetic dyes from wastewater, with a focus on Methyl Orange and Methylene Blue, two dyes commonly used in industrial processes. The iron filings were comprehensively characterized through chemical analysis, mineralogical assessment, particle size distribution, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to evaluate their adsorption properties. The effects of key operational parameters—including adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, and contact time—on removal efficiency were systematically investigated, with experimental data analyzed using Design Expert software. Findings show that iron filings exhibit high adsorption capacity toward Methyl Orange, with FTIR analysis confirming the functional groups responsible for the adsorption mechanism. Adsorption isotherm and kinetic modeling indicated that Methyl Orange removal is consistent with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and follows both pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetics, while Methylene Blue removal aligns primarily with pseudo-first-order kinetics. Overall, the study highlights iron filings as an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable material for dye removal in wastewater treatment applications.

Keywords: Iron filings, Methyl Orange (MO), Methylene Blue (MB), FTIR, SEM, RSM, adsorption isotherms, kinetics, wastewater treatment.

Downloads: | DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2026.13143