Application of Biochar for the Treatment of Textile Dyes and Wastewater

Abstract

Textile industries use several types of synthetic toxic dyes having complex aromatic structures that lead to detrimental effects on ecosystems. Discharge of effluent directly into the natural environment (soil and water) adversely affects the biota. In recent years, different dye removal strategies have been adopted to control textile pollution including physical, chemical, and biological methods. Recently, exploring agro-industrial waste biomasses into biochar is being studied as an economically sustainable approach for remediation of textile wastewater and other environmental pollutants. Biochar is a black carbon produced after the pyrolysis of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions. It is proving the best adsorbent which offers advantages like high surface area, porosity, and active functional groups important for the effective removal of organic and inorganic contaminants. Biochar reduces the bioavailability of contaminants with additional environmental benefits including soil fertilizer and mitigation of climate change. The present book chapter provides a brief outline of dye types and toxicity and biochar preparation and characteristics with a detailed account of mechanism of biochar-assisted remediation of hazardous textile dyes and wastewater.