Comprehensive characterization of Musa acuminata pseudo fibre, Moringa oleifera bark, and Hevea brasiliensis sawdust waste for potential adsorbent development

Lignocellulosic agro-based biomass is one of the most plentiful and sustainable resources that can be leveraged as an adsorbent material for wastewater treatment. Designing and running efficient biomass processing facilities requires deep knowledge of the physicochemical, thermal, and morphological properties of lignocellulosic biomass. This study investigates the physicochemical properties of Musa acuminata pseudostem fiber (BP), Moringa oleifera bark (MB), and Hevea brasiliensis sawdust (HBS) to evaluate their potential as raw materials for adsorbent preparation. Comprehensive characterization of these biomasses was conducted using FESEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, TGA, and BET techniques. BP exhibited the lowest bulk density and the highest porosity, suggesting a looser structure with more void space, which may enhance adsorption capacity. HBS demonstrated the highest true and bulk densities, the lowest porosity, and the lowest ash content (2.56%), alongside the highest carbon (42.56%), hydrogen (7.51%), volatile matter (71.09%), and fixed carbon (17.60%) contents, indicating a dense structure with potential for enhanced adsorption and regeneration ability. MB possesses the highest oxygen content (49.93%), which enhances its potential for adsorbing polar substances. Crystallinity index (CrI) values of 19%, 21.8%, and 26.7% for BP, MB, and HBS, respectively, confirmed their predominantly amorphous nature, which is favorable for adsorption. FTIR analysis confirms the presence of hydroxyl, carboxylic, carbonyl, and amino functional groups in all three materials, signifying their potential for heavy metal adsorption. Furthermore, the abundance of biomass in Tripura, India, makes it a readily available resource, enhancing its applicability and appeal for adsorbent development.