Akl, M.A., Serage, A.A. Chitosan impregnated sugarcane bagasse 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 for removal of anionic dyes from wastewater. Sci Rep14, 27097 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-77708-9

A recent study explores an innovative approach to address synthetic dye pollution in water by developing a biochar composite made from sugarcane bagasse, enhanced with chitosan. Textile industry dyes, like Congo Red (CR), are particularly hazardous to the environment and human health, making effective removal crucial.

This research synthesized a biocomposite called SCNC by treating sugarcane bagasse biochar with chitosan. This composite was tested for its efficiency in removing CR from water, achieving an impressive 95% removal rate at optimized conditions (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 3, 0.05 g dosage, and 200 minutes of contact time). The study found that adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 170 mg/g, indicating a strong interaction between the SCNC composite and CR dye molecules.

Thermodynamic analyses showed that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic, with higher temperatures favoring dye removal. The composite was also tested in real water samples, maintaining high removal efficiency, and was found reusable for up to five cycles with minimal loss in performance.

This research highlights SCNC’s potential as a cost-effective, sustainable solution for wastewater treatment, reducing dye contaminants using agricultural residues, and supporting a greener, circular economy.