Applied Chemical Engineering

Sustainable biowaste activated carbons for cleaner wastewater treatment by adsorption: A review

Irene Nindita Pradnya

Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, 50229, Indonesia

Widi Astuti

Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, 50229, Indonesia

Rafeqah Raslan

School of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Selangor Darul Ehsan, 40450, Malaysia

Maharani Kusumaningrum

Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, 50229, Indonesia

Maulida Zakia

Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, 50229, Indonesia

Resna Auliyah Hasanah

Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, 50229, Indonesia

Nadifa Alya Fauziah

Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, 50229, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v9i2.5926

Keywords: activated carbon; adsorption; biomass; circular economy; waste; wastewater treatment

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Abstract

The rapid expansion of industrial activities alongside the depletion of natural resources has intensified the global demand for sustainable wastewater treatment technologies. Activated carbon derived from biowaste precursors presents a superior eco-friendly and economically viable alternative to conventional fossil-based materials while advancing the strategic goals of a circular economy. This comprehensive review evaluates synthesis pathways encompassing conventional and hydrothermal carbonization, physical and chemical activation mechanisms, and the technical advantages offered by microwave-assisted heating. Systematic synthesis of literature demonstrates that biowaste-based activated carbon possesses exceptional morphological characteristics and adsorption capacities that frequently surpass commercial standards for the remediation of synthetic dyes, heavy metals, and pharmaceutical contaminants. Despite these advancements, this review identifies a critical research gap regarding the persistent difficulty in standardizing final product quality due to the inherent chemical and structural variability of diverse biomass precursors. Furthermore, the lack of performance evaluation in multi-component pollutant systems fails to accurately reflect the complex chemical interactions of real-world industrial wastewater streams. This fundamental discrepancy between controlled experimental success and rigorous industrial requirements continues to be the primary obstacle preventing the widespread implementation of biowaste-derived adsorbents.

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