Engineered mesoporous biochar derived from rice husk for efficient removal of malachite green from wastewaters

Extremely soluble Malachite green (MG) acts as potential carcinogen for aquatic life in polluted aqueous environments. Current study aims to modify rice husk derived biochar to improve its removal efficiency for MG from MG-containing wastewaters. The hydrothermal alkali activation was effective for preparing modified biochar (RHMB) from native biochar (RHB) derived from rice husk. After modification, surface area and pore volume of RHMB was determined respectively 434.62 m(2)g(-1) and 287.28 cm(3)g(-1), significantly improved from native RHB values 21.764 m(2)g(-1) and 65.53 cm(3)g(-1). Pseudo second order kinetic model fitted well. RHMB exhibits an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 373.02 mg.g(-1). RHMB showed an excellent MG removal ability and was not susceptible to ion interference even at highly saline environments. It has exhibited 96.96 +/- 1.17% removal efficiency of MG and is expected to be used as potential adsorbent for MG remediation from aquaculture wastewater and other MG containing industrial wastewaters.

Automated summary

Modified rice husk derived biochar exhibited improved removal efficiency for Malachite green (MG) in aqueous environments. The modified biochar had increased surface area and pore volume, and showed excellent adsorption capacity for MG even in highly saline conditions.