Synthesis, characterization of pine chir based biochar nanocomposites and their application in heavy metal ion detection

The escalating industrial activities have heightened the presence of heavy metal ions in the environment, posing severe risks to both ecological systems and human health. Biochar and their nanocomposites have emerged as a promising solution for the detection and removal of these toxic ions in sustainable manner. This study is focused on the utilization of pine chir, as a precursor for producing biochar nanocomposites. The pine chir biochar nanocomposite in this research has been engineered at the nanoscale to enhance its surface area and functional group interaction for better adsorption of heavy metal ions with improved detection limits and faster response time. The synthesized nanocomposite demonstrated effective elimination of specific metal ions during a 30- to 60-minute contact period at a pH of 3.0, 5.0 and 7.0 for Cr(VI), Cu(II), and Ni(II) respectively at adsorbent dosage of 0.1 g. The research contributes to eco-friendly remediation of heavy metals and development of low-cost, efficient, and sustainable materials for heavy metal ion detection.