article · Scientific Reports
A nanocomposite combining Rumex abyssinicus biochar and graphitic carbon nitride degrades the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in soil under visible light. Prepared by ball-milling biochar with nanomaterials at a two-to-one ratio, the hybrid material integrates porous carbon networks with catalytic alkaline oxides and active polymeric sheets. This structure provides a high surface area and a narrowed semiconductor bandgap, which aids charge separation when exposed to visible light. Remediation occurs through a combined mechanism of physical adsorption and photocatalytic breakdown driven by superoxide radicals, photogenerated holes, and hydroxyl radicals. Under conditions optimised by central composite design, the composite removed 94.84 per cent of the target herbicide from soil over 30 days following pseudo-first-order kinetics. The interaction between the stable biochar matrix and nitrogen-bearing groups supports both electrostatic attraction and catalytic activity in contaminated soil.
Herbicide contamination in agricultural soils presents environmental and health risks that require effective cleanup solutions. Utilising plant-derived biochar paired with visible-light-activated catalysts offers a sustainable approach to soil remediation. Because the process relies on visible light and combined adsorption and degradation mechanisms, it provides an efficient method for detoxifying persistent agricultural chemicals directly in soil matrices.
This technology could enable targeted soil remediation tools for agricultural land managers, environmental remediation contractors, and agrochemical pollution control programmes. The composite relies on plant-derived biochar and ball-milling synthesis to clean pesticide-contaminated ground. Based on the abstract, this represents applied laboratory research tested over a 30-day treatment cycle, meaning further field-scale testing and process scale-up are required before practical on-farm or industrial deployment can occur.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
This study optimized the remediation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in soil using a Rumex abyssinicus biochar/g-C 3 N 4 nanocomposite under visible-light irradiation (400–700 nm) via a central composite design. The hybrid catalyst was synthesized by ball-milling biochar and g-C 3 N 4 nanoparticles at a 2:1 ratio. Physicochemical characterization confirmed a stable fixed carbon backbone (73.6%) and an accumulation of catalytic alkaline oxides (45.71% K 2 O and 16.67% CaO). Morphological and structural analyses revealed well-distributed polymeric g-C 3 N 4 sheets embedded within porous carbon networks, yielding a specific surface area of 285.2 m 2 /g, a point of zero charge at pH 8.0, and a narrowed semiconductor bandgap of 2.30 eV. The experimental results demonstrate that the removal of 2,4-D is achieved through a synergy of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation. Under optimized treatment parameters, a maximum 2,4-D soil remediation efficiency of 94.84% was achieved within 30 days, following pseudo-first-order kinetics. Radical scavenging assays suggest that superoxide radicals, photogenerated holes, and hydroxyl radicals contribute to the photocatalytic portion of the herbicide removal. The synergy between the condensed biochar core and reactive nitrogen-bearing functionalities optimizes surface chemistry and electrostatic attraction, enhancing visible-light-responsive charge separation for efficient 2,4-D remediation in soil matrices.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-69178-y
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
