Sustainable removal of malachite green using cellulose extracted from waste bamboo culm sheath

Abstract

The sustainable utilization of waste biomass for wastewater treatment aligns with the principles of green chemistry and the circular economy. In this study, cellulose was extracted from waste bamboo culm sheath (BCS) and evaluated as a renewable and reusable adsorbent for removing malachite green (MG) from aqueous solutions. Dynamic light scattering confirmed a cellulose size of 108 nm, while structural and morphological analyses were conducted using X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR, and atomic force microscopy. The adsorption process was pH-dependent, with optimal removal of 92.8% MG (20 mg L⁻¹) within 120 minutes. Kinetic studies indicated pseudo-first-order behavior, and the Langmuir isotherm model estimated a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 111.11 mg g⁻¹. Reusability tests demonstrated over 80% removal efficiency up to four cycles, supporting its long-term application. This study presents an eco-friendly approach to wastewater remediation, demonstrating the potential of BCS-derived cellulose as a sustainable adsorbent for dye removal, contributing to responsible resource utilization and environmental protection.