Fabrication of porous adsorbent by quinoa husk stabilized foam templates for dye adsorption and carbonization for soil remediation

Abstract

In this study, a novel adsorbent with a sufficient porous structure was fabricated using a green and highly stable water-based foam template. This template was stabilized with agricultural waste quinoa husk (QH) and applied to remove dye pollutants in wastewater. The porous adsorbent exhibited a high adsorption capacity of 740.95 mg/g for methylene blue and 1022.1 mg/g for methyl violet. The adsorption process was well described by the Langmuir-Freundlich model and the pseudo second-order kinetic model. A sustainable concept for handling the spent adsorbent was also proposed, involving its conversion into biochar and safe return to the soil. An additional benefit was observed, as the biochar effectively adjusted the physicochemical properties of the soil and improved crop growth with the addition of 1 wt%. The potential application of porous adsorbent in wastewater treatment and the reference of sustainable strategy for disposing of other adsorbents are both noteworthy.

Keywords: Adsorption; Biochar; Pickering foam; Porous adsorbent; Quinoa husk.