Synthesis and characterization of nano iron oxide biochar composite for efficient removal of crystal violet from water

In the present study, Coconut Husk Biochar (CHB) was synthesize from widely available, locally sourced agro waste, coconut husk and characterized using different techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). CHB was tested for its ability to adsorb crystal violet (CV), a commonly used cationic dye, from water. It was capable of adsorbing more than 98 % of CV from water and follows Freundlich isotherm model with pseudo second order kinetics though the overall process was unfavourable. Moreover, separation of CHB from water after adsorption is a cumbersome process. Thus, unmodified CHB is not suitable for use as an adsorbent for CV. Magnetic nano iron oxide Biochar Composite (MBC) was synthesized by deposition of nano iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) onto its surface by co-precipitation method and characterized using SEM, XRD and FTIR. SEM analysis provided visual evidence of this deposition which was further confirmed by XRD and FTIR analysis. MBC was also effective in adsorbing more than 90 % of CV from aqueous solution though a decrease in adsorption capacity was observed. Adsorption data followed Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo second order kinetics. MBC is superparamagnetic and is strongly attracted to a small bar magnet, facilitating easy removal from water after CV adsorption.