Development of novel nanocellulose based biofunctional materials from Raphia farinifera inflorescence with enhanced structural properties for high efficiency removal of hazardous organic contaminants from water

Abstract This study evaluated the potential of biosorbents derived from Raphia farinifera inflorescence for the removal of atrazine from water. Raw (RFI-RAW), cellulose (RFI-C), nanocellulose (RFI-NCC), and xanthated nanocellulose (RFI-NCC-Xan) biosorbents were prepared and characterized using FTIR, SEM, and BET analyses. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted under varying conditions of pH, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, contact time, and temperature. RFI-NCC-Xan achieved a maximum removal efficiency of 99.71% at pH 6, 40 °C, and an optimum contact time of 80 min, while RFI-C exhibited the highest adsorption capacity under Langmuir isotherm fitting (qₘ = 99.78 mg/g). Non-linear isotherm models provided superior fits compared with linear forms, with R 2 values of 0.942–0.996 and RMSE < 0.012, confirming the suitability of Langmuir and Sips models. Kinetic data were best described by the pseudo-second-order model, with calculated and experimental adsorption capacities in close agreement (qₑ,exp = 9.82 mg/g; qₑ,calc = 9.74 mg/g for RFI-NCC-Xan). Thermodynamic evaluation from both linear and non-linear Van’t Hoff analysis indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous (ΔG° = − 1.34 to − 6.27 kJ mol −1 at 298 K) and endothermic, with ΔH° values ranging from + 94.7 to + 185.3 kJ·mol −1 depending on the biosorbent. Non-linear analysis provided more consistent ΔH° and ΔS° estimates, confirming the energetic favorability and entropy-driven nature of the process. Regeneration studies showed that RFI-NCC-Xan retained 81.59% efficiency after three cycles using 0.1 M NaOH, highlighting its stability and reusability. Application to real wastewater from Aninri, Enugu State, Nigeria, demonstrated > 93% atrazine removal during both dry and wet seasons. These findings establish Raphia farinifera -based biosorbents as cost-effective, renewable materials with strong potential for agricultural water treatment and sustainable herbicide remediation.