Work

Nitrogen-Enriched Biochar via Hydrothermal Ammonia Functionalization: Surface Engineering of Bambusa Vulgaris for Optimized Capture of Reactive Black 5

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Water pollution by synthetic dyes has become a serious environmental concern due to their toxicity, persistence, and widespread discharge from textile and related industries. Among these dyes, reactive black 5 (RB5) is commonly detected in industrial effluents and poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this study, we investigated the adsorptive removal of RB5 from aqueous solutions using Bambusa vulgaris biochar modified with varying concentrations of ammonia. Bamboo biochar (BB) was prepared via pyrolysis and further functionalized using 20- and 30-mL ammonia treatments to produce B20 and B30, respectively. All prepared adsorbents were comprehensively characterized using SEM, BET, FTIR, TGA, CHN, XRD, and XPS to better understand their physicochemical properties. Adsorption studies systematically examined the effect of contact time, solution pH, adsorbent dose, and initial dye concentration. B20 and B30 exhibited consistently greater initial RB5 dye removal efficiencies (B20: 92.5%; B30: 89.8%) and rates compared to BB (75.2%), with optimum performance at acidic pH. Kinetics were best fitted to the Pseudo-First-Order model, but equilibrium data were best represented by the Langmuir isotherm model, confirming monolayer sorption. The recyclability of BB, B20, and B30 was tested for 8 successive adsorption-desorption cycle. The biochar modified by ammonia presented considerably enhanced recyclability and stability. B20 and B30 retained 67.8% and 66.2% of their initial efficiency, respectively, compared to BB's 48.5%. After-adsorption characterization was done using elemental analysis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, XPS, BET which confirmed RB5 adsorption. This study reveals the immense potential of ammonia-functionalized Bambusa vulgaris biochar, particularly B20, as a highly effective, reusable, and environmentally friendly adsorbent for the successful treatment of anionic dye-polluted textile wastewater.

Source: Water Air & Soil Pollution

DOI: 10.1007/s11270-026-09697-6

Authors: Ehigbochie Joy Ofure, Guijian Liu, Ruijia Liu, Yuan Liu, Balal Yousaf

Institutions: University of Science and Technology of China, Silesian University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China