Biochar derived from waste bamboo shoots for the biosorptive removal of ferrous ions from aqueous solution

Abstract

With the ongoing global demands for modern commodities, anthropogenic activities by industries and humans have brought a colossal pressure to the natural water bodies. Though numerous scientific interventions or treatment techniques have been proposed, the need for a viable low-cost method has been a quest for many researchers. Adsorption as such has been in the limelight as an effective method in recent times using various feedstock biomass waste. Our present piece of research aims to use the non-edible biomass waste generated from bamboo shoots as a sustainable low-cost biochar adsorbent and examine its efficiency in the removal of ferrous (Fe2+) ions from an aqueous solution. The batch adsorption study was conducted and the optimum dose and concentration were found to be 0.2 g and 7 mg L−1 with the Langmuir isotherm model best describing the experimental data. Furthermore, kinetic study suggests that the overall sorption rate predominantly follows the chemisorption pathway. Multiple studies suggest bamboo is an excellent adsorbent for treating various inorganic & organic contaminants; here we have highlighted the multifaceted applications of waste bamboo shoots as an effective adsorbing material. The obtained results can lead to additional benefits and usage of bamboo shoots (waste) with future research prospects.