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Sugarcane Bagasse Biochar as a Sustainable Adsorbent for Cadmium Removal from Wastewater

Authors

  • Maham Nawaz

    Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, 50700, Pakistan
    Author

  • Kiran Hina

    epartment of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, 50700, Pakistan
    Author

  • Qaiser Hussain

    Institute of Soil Science, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
    Author

  • Yousuf Jamal

    Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
    Author

  • Iram Gul

    Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
    Author

  • Muhammad Arshad

    Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
    Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22581/0561

Keywords:

Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Adsorption, Cadmium, Isotherms, Sugarcane Bagasse Biochar , Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

With rapid industrial expansion, effective wastewater treatment has become an urgent environmental priority. Industrial effluents contain diverse pollutants, including toxic heavy metals, organic and inorganic contaminants, and microplastics. Among these, cadmium (Cd) is a persistent, non-biodegradable heavy metal released through electroplating, mining, and agricultural activities, posing severe ecological and human health risks. This study evaluates the efficacy of chemically unmodified sugarcane bagasse biochar as a sustainable adsorbent for removing Cd from aqueous solutions. Sugarcane bagasse biochar was prepared via slow pyrolysis in a muffle furnace at 550 °C at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, and surface functional groups were characterized before and after adsorption using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Batch adsorption experiments evaluated the effects of solution pH (2–12), initial Cd concentration (5–100 mg/L), adsorbent dosage (0.5–3.0 g/L), and contact time (10–180 min) on Cd removal efficiency and adsorption capacity. Optimal removal was achieved at pH 10, an initial Cd concentration of 25 mg/L, an adsorbent dose of 3.0 g, and a contact time of 90 min, yielding removal efficiencies of 98.6% (at pH 10) and up to 99.8% (at a 3.0 g dose). Equilibrium data were modeled using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms; the Langmuir isotherm provided the best fit (R² = 0.999), confirming monolayer chemisorption on a homogeneous surface with a maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 24.45 mg/g. Desorption experiments using 0.1 M CaCl2 and 0.1 M HCl demonstrated that CaCl2 achieved higher desorption efficiency (67.98% vs. 60.46% at 100 mg/L) due to the stronger competitive displacement of divalent Ca2+ ions compared with monovalent H+ ions. These findings demonstrate that unmodified sugarcane bagasse biochar is a low-cost, chemical-free, and sustainable adsorbent for cadmium remediation.

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Author Biographies

  • Kiran Hina, epartment of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, 50700, Pakistan

    Dr Kiran Hina is working as an associate professor in department of environmental sciences in university of gujrat

  • Qaiser Hussain, Institute of Soil Science, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    He is serving as an associate professor in Arid Agriculture university in Rawalpindi.

  • Yousuf Jamal, Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan

    he is serving as an Associate Professor in University of punjab, Chemical Engineering

  • Iram Gul, Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

    she is serving as an associate professor in Nust university.

  • Muhammad Arshad, Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan

    Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arshad is serving in the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (IESE) as Associate Dean within the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE). 

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Published

2026-10-01

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 4 (2026): October Issue

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Copyright (c) 2026 Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology

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How to Cite

Sugarcane Bagasse Biochar as a Sustainable Adsorbent for Cadmium Removal from Wastewater. (2026). Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology, 45(4), 84-91. https://doi.org/10.22581/0561

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