Synergistic degradation of toxic azo dyes using Mn-CuO@Biochar: An efficient adsorptive and photocatalytic approach for wastewater treatment

• Published in: Chemical engineering science Vol. 302; p. 120844
• Main Authors: Ullah, Fida, Ul Haq Khan, Zia, Sabahat, Sana, Aftab, Muhammad, Sun, Jingyu, Samad Shah, Noor, Rahim, Abdur, Abdullah, Mahmood M.S., Imran, Muhammad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 05-02-2025
• Subjects: Adsorption; Composite material; Dye; Photocatalysis; Plant Biochar; Water Treatment; Dye; Adsorption; Plant Biochar; Photocatalysis; Composite material; Water Treatment
• ISSN: 0009-2509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2024.120844

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•Breakthrough in Solar Photocatalysis: Mn co-doped CuO with Biochar achieves record-breaking degradation of organic pollutants.•Unlocking Efficient Degradation: H2O2 addition boosts removal of harmful pollutants by up to 90%•Unveiling Degradation Pathways: In-depth investigation reveals crucial insights into toxic byproducts and mineralization routes.•Green Technology Advancement: Biochar-based photocatalyst showcases immense potential for sustainable wastewater treatment.•Toxicity Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation of treated water ensures safe discharge into the environment, ensuring a healthier ecosystem.
Congo red (CR) and Eriochrome Black T (EBT) is a toxic azo dye with a complex structure which represents a serious Ecotoxicological hazards for aquatic bodies. This research investigates the synergistic effects of Corn plants biochar and manganese (Mn)-composited copper oxide (CuO) in the adsorptive and photocatalytic degradation of toxic anionic dyes i.e. CR and EBT. The acquired materials were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX, XPS, TEM, BET, ZP, and pHZc test. The experiment demonstrated that Mn-CuO@BC composite exhibited a remarkable adsorption of ∼ 98 % and ∼ 95 % and photocatalytic degradation of 92 % and 88 % for CR and EBT respectively. It was further found that coupling of the H2O2 with Mn-CuO@BC enhances the photocatalytic efficiency of catalyst for CR and EBT i.e. upto ∼ 98 % and 96 % respectively possibly owing to the efficient ●OH radical. Adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo 2nd order model, indicating predominant chemisorption, and adsorption isotherms fit well with the Langmuir model. Further, toxicity degradation products of EBT were examined through ECOSAR indicated a reduced ecological impact. In general, this work highlight the dual functional advantages of the Mn-CuO@BC composite, providing an efficient and versatile approach for wastewater treatment involving complex dye pollutants.