Characterization of Rice Husk for Use in Environmental Remediation: A Multi-Technique Analytical Study

The potential of rice husk as a sustainable material for environmental restoration is examined in this study using a multi-technique analytical approach. The BET surface area study revealed a large pore volume and a high surface area (265.5 m²/g), indicating a good capacity for pollutant adsorption. Functional groups, including hydroxyl, carbonyl, and aromatic rings, were verified by FTIR spectroscopy. These groups help with chemical interactions with organic pollutants and heavy metals. The structure was rich in carbon and silica, as indicated by trace elements including potassium, phosphorus, and calcium, according to SEM elemental mapping. The presence of important oxides (SiO₂, P₂O₅, K₂O, and CaO) that improve adsorption and pH buffering was confirmed by XRF oxide profiling. Its environmental safety is further reinforced by the fact that it contains no hazardous elements, such as chromium or arsenic. According to these studies, rice husk has high potential for use in water purification, soil remediation, and the treatment of industrial effluents. The study indicates that rice husk offers a low-cost, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional adsorbents and suggests incorporating it into scalable remediation solutions