A recent study from Cano, et al highlights the potential of biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More derived from pineapple crown biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More as an efficient, eco-friendly adsorbent for removing harmful dyes from wastewater. The research focused on biochar and its activated form, produced through pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More and subsequent chemical treatment, and tested their ability to adsorb common dyes such as methylene blue, rhodamine B, and malachite green.

Activated biochar, compared to its unmodified counterpart, demonstrated significantly higher adsorption efficiency, achieving 100% removal of all tested dyes. The activation process enhanced its chemical structure, increasing the concentration of oxygen-containing functional groups that facilitate interactions with dye molecules. Structural analyses confirmed a more reactive surface and improved adsorption kinetics, with methylene blue and malachite green reaching equilibrium within 9 minutes.

Key findings indicated that adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, highlighting chemisorption mechanisms. The Langmuir isotherm model further suggested a uniform monolayer adsorption process. For malachite green, the maximum adsorption capacity of activated biochar surpassed 990 mg/g, outperforming many conventional adsorbents.

This research underscores the environmental and economic advantages of using pineapple crown waste, a readily available agricultural byproduct, to address water pollution. Activated biochar offers a sustainable and scalable alternative to traditional adsorbents, supporting global efforts for cleaner water and reduced waste. Future investigations into its reusability and broader applications could solidify its role in industrial and environmental remediation.

SOURCE: Cano, et al (2025) Activated Biochar from Pineapple Crown Biomass: A High-Efficiency Adsorbent for Organic Dye Removal. Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010099