Engineered Fe2O3–biochar composite derived from oil palm frond waste for effective removal of methyl orange, amoxicillin, and nitrate: adsorption mechanisms

Zubir, Aisyah and Abdullah, Erna Normaya and Goh, Pei Sean and Mat Piah, Mohd Bijarimi and Danial, Wan Hazman and Wan Isahak, Wan Nor Roslam and Ismail, Ahmad Fauzi and Ahmad, Mohammad Norazmi (2026) Engineered Fe2O3–biochar composite derived from oil palm frond waste for effective removal of methyl orange, amoxicillin, and nitrate: adsorption mechanisms. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 33 (19). pp. 9479-9512. ISSN 0944-1344 E-ISSN 1614-7499

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Abstract

A sustainable framework that emphasizes circular economy is essential to combat water contamination. This work presents a sustainable and multifunctional adsorbent derived from oil palm frond biochar (OPFB), engineered with nano-Fe2O3 which effectively removes methyl orange (MO), amoxicillin (AMX), and nitrate from aqueous solutions. Through optimization of pyrolysis and modification parameters, 2-h pyrolysis time, 500 °C pyrolysis temperature, and 0.25 M FeCl3 concentration, the nanobiochar achieved particle size of 82.65 nm with enhanced surface properties. Comprehensive characterization via FTIR, XRD, BET, TEM, and SEM–EDX confirmed the physicochemical modifications. ICP MS confirm no leaching occurred during MO, AMX, and nitrate removal. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the removal efficiency, yielding maximum removal of 100% for MO, 82.13% for AMX, and 75.26% for nitrate under specific adsorption conditions. The maximum adsorption capacity for MO is obtained at 41.0662 mg/g, AMX at 77.9870 mg/g, and nitrate at 105.4387 mg/g. Structure–property–performance relationships were assessed in this study to elucidate the correlation between physicochemical properties and adsorption efficiency while offering mechanistic insight via kinetic and isotherm studies, zeta potential, and spectroscopic analyses (FTIR, 2DIR, and XPS).

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Oil palm frond waste biochar; Physicochemical properties; Optimization ; Methyl orange, amoxicillin, and nitrate removal; Adsorption mechanism
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Science Kulliyyah of Science > Department of Chemistry
Depositing User:	Dr Mohammad Norazmi Ahmad
Date Deposited:	30 Jun 2026 12:06
Last Modified:	30 Jun 2026 12:06
Queue Number:	2026-06-Q3906
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129708

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