Fennel Seed Biochar: A Sustainable Approach for Methylene Blue Removal from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

In this study, biochars were produced from by-products of the herbal industry, specifically fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare), through direct activation by carbon dioxide at two different temperatures. The biochar samples were comprehensively analysed. Additionally, adsorption studies were conducted for methylene blue. The resulting adsorbents exhibited a specific surface area ranging from 2.29 to 14.60 m2/g. The resulting materials displayed a basic character on their surface. The constants for adsorption models were determined for each dye as well as thermodynamic parameters and the kinetics of the process. The sorption capacities of methylene blue for the samples exhibited a range of 22 to 43 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics of the dye on the biochar materials were found to follow a pseudo-second-order model, with the adsorption process best described by the Langmuir isotherm for the DA-800 sample and the Freundlich isotherm for the DA-750 sample. This indicates the development of a monolayer adsorbate on the biochar surfaces. The efficacy of the adsorption process in aqueous solutions of methylene blue was found to increase with rising temperature. Furthermore, based on thermodynamic studies, the adsorption process was found to be spontaneous and endothermic.