A study by Tran et al., published in Environmental Technology & Innovation, introduces an innovative approach to wastewater treatment by modifying rice husk 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 (RHB) with the protein lysozyme. This process enhances the material’s capacity to adsorb anionic azo dyes, specifically New Coccine (NCC), a pollutant commonly used in the food, textile, and cosmetic industries.

The researchers synthesized biochar from rice husks via 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 characterized it using advanced techniques like XRD, FT-IR, and SEM. By coating the biochar with lysozyme at an optimal pHpH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower pH values indicate acidity and higher values indicate alkalinity. Biochars are normally alkaline and can influence soil pH, often increasing it, which can be beneficial More of 11, the material gained a positive surface charge, which improves its electrostatic interaction with negatively charged pollutants. Experimental results showed that under ideal conditions—pH 3, 120 minutes of contact time, and a dosage of 1.5 mg/mL—the modified biochar achieved a maximum adsorption capacity of 32.15 mg/g and removed 97.3% of NCC from water.

The adsorption process followed the Freundlich isotherm, indicating multilayer adsorption, and kinetic studies aligned with the pseudo-second-order model, suggesting chemical interactions dominate the process. Notably, the material maintained high efficiency (over 92%) after five reuse cycles, underscoring its reusability and sustainability.

This research highlights the potential of lysozyme-coated biochar as an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for tackling dye pollution in water, paving the way for broader applications in wastewater treatment.

SOURCE: Tran, et al (2025) Synthesis, characterization of novel protein-modified rice husk biochar and their applications for highly adsorptive removal azo dye in water. Environmental Technology & Innovation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2025.104037