Thermo-chemical strategies to prepare biowaste derived activated carbon as metal adsorbent

Increasing apprehension about water pollution has stimulated the pursuit of sustainable remedies, resulting in an upsurge in scholastic investigations that focus on biobased material for wastewater treatment. Since ages adsorption through activated carbon (AC) has been considered a reliable method. This study has examined different surface chemistry techniques utilized in biobased ACs for pollutant absorption from wastewater. Successful creation of eco-friendly adsorbents, from natural biomaterials like plant-derived fibers, biopolymers, and biofunctionalized surfaces, has efficiently eliminated metallic contaminants from wastewater. ACs derived from plant wastes are a favorable choice due to cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, minimal sludge generation, high regression percentage, and efficient metal adsorption capabilities. In addition, this study highlights their ability to be scaled up, their affordability, and their positive impact on the environment. The field of surface chemistry of biobased materials is constantly evolving through interdisciplinary collaborations between chemists, materials scientists, and environmental engineers. This progress offers promising avenues for addressing the urgent challenges of water pollution and contributing to the development of a cleaner and healthier environment. This review compiles the latest literature on AC production from various biowaste sources, utilizing different methods such as physical, chemical, or thermochemical activation, ultrasonication, and oxidation. The focus is on its application in waste water treatment, specifically in metal adsorption.

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