Metal Oxide-Biochar Nanocomposites for the Effective Removal of Environmental Contaminants

Abstract

The growth in industries and urban development in many of the developing nations has generated a large volume of wastewater, which contains high concentration of both organic and inorganic chemicals, which have detrimental effects on the lives of both plants and living organisms. Therefore, the necessity to find out an economic and effective method for removing the emerging contaminants from our natural resources has gained wide significance. In this regard, the application of biochar containing a porous structure and high carbon content for environmental remediation has gained wide importance over the years owing to its beneficial aspects such as economic, recyclable ability, and easy preparation from abundant feedstocks, etc. Upon considering the beneficial aspects of metal oxide nanoparticles, metal oxide-biochar nanocomposites obtained by combining the advantageous properties of both the metal oxide nanoparticles and biochar have emerged as a useful material for environmental remediation. In this chapter, we have discussed the different formation methods of metal oxide-biochar nanocomposites along with their useful applications for removing the unwanted toxic contaminants, including toxic organic compounds such as dyes (methyl orange, methylene blue, reactive red, etc.), pharmaceuticals (levofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolone antibiotics, etc.), also other inorganic chemicals such as heavy metals (Cd(II), Pb(II), As, etc.), and inorganic anions (phosphate, nitrate, fluoride, etc.) persisting in the environment by the process of both adsorption and photocatalytic degradation.