This work reports preparation and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles prepared by low temperature hydrothermal methods and their application for anionic dye (Congo red) and cationic dye (Brilliant green) removal from aqueous medium. The adsorption capacity of ZnO nanoparticles for Congo red dye and Brilliant green dye was up to 71.4 and 238 mg/g, respectively under selected process conditions. Dye adsorption behaviour has been explained applying different isotherms. Freundlich isotherm model best fitted to the dye removal data. Adsorption kinetics of both dyes is well explained by pseudo-second order model. Physical adsorption has been investigated using thermodynamic parameters viz., Gibb's free energy (?G?), enthalpy (?H?) and entropy (?S?). The reusability of ZnO nanoparticles was examined upto three cycles. ? 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
