Research on the Application Potential of Biomass Particles Extracted from Moldy Orange Peels as a Novel Adsorption Material

The escalating environmental pollution caused by industrialization necessitates the development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly adsorbent materials. This study explores the potential of biomass particles extracted from moldy orange peels, an abundant agricultural waste, as a novel adsorbent for environmental remediation. Morphological characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the particles to be micro-sized, predominantly spherical to elliptical, with highly porous and rough surfaces. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed their organic nature, primarily composed of carbon and oxygen, with detectable amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus, indicative of their biological origin. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) further identified various functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino groups) crucial for pollutant interaction. Adsorption experiments, simulated using methylene blue as a model pollutant, demonstrated remarkable adsorption capacity, reaching up to 185 mg/g, aligning well with the Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order model, suggesting a chemisorption mechanism. Furthermore, preliminary regeneration studies indicated the reusability of these particles for multiple cycles with acceptable efficiency. The findings highlight that these readily available and sustainable biomass particles possess promising attributes as an effective and low-cost adsorbent, offering a valuable solution for wastewater treatment and resource valorization of agricultural waste.