Investigation of agricultural waste biochar for enhanced sensor applications effectiveness in cobalt heavy metal biosorption

Abstract

The study offers a comprehensive evaluation of biochar production newlinefrom diverse agricultural wastes, including rice husk, chickpea husks, custard newlineapple seeds, and tamarind seeds, utilizing a controlled pyrolysis process to newlineachieve varied biochar qualities. The physical properties of the resultant newlinebiochar are visibly distinct, characterized by a spectrum of colors and textures newlineindicative of their differing carbon content and material densities, which in newlineturn suggest their suitability for a range of applications in renewable energy newlineand environmental management. SEM imaging uncovers a microstructural newlinediversity within the biochars, revealing surface architectures reflective of the newlinepyrolytic transformation, while EDS analysis provides detailed insights into newlinetheir elemental makeup, dominated by carbon with traces of potassium, newlinemagnesium, and silicon. This elemental variation informs the potential for newlinetailored uses in soil remediation and environmental applications, where newlinespecific elements may enhance the biochar s functional performance. newlineIn addition, the study delves into the adsorption characteristics of newlinethe produced biochar, conducting a meticulous investigation into the kinetics, newlineisotherms, and thermodynamics of adsorption. Adsorption kinetics revealed newlinethat the uptake of pollutants by biochar is rapid initially, indicating a high newlineaffinity between the biochar surface and adsorbate molecules, which is newlineessential for efficient remediation applications. Isotherm models, including newlineLangmuir and Freundlich, were employed to describe the adsorption process, newlinewith the biochars exhibiting favorable isotherms, suggesting that biochar newlinecould be an excellent material for adsorbing a wide range of substances. newlineThermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy newlineprovided further insight into the spontaneity and nature of the adsorption newlineiv newlineprocess. newline