The efficient removal of ibuprofen, caffeine, and bisphenol A using engineered egusi seed shells biochar: adsorption kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics, and mechanism.

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), also known as micropollutants, have been recognized in recent years as substantial water pollutants because of the potential threats they pose to the environment and human health. This study was aimed at preparing biochar (BC) based on egusi seed shells (ESS) with well-developed porosity and excellent adsorption capacity towards CECs including ibuprofen (IBP), caffeine (CAF), and bisphenol A (BPA). BC samples were prepared by pyrolysis at different temperatures (400 to 800 °C) and were characterized using nitrogen sorption, FTIR, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), SEM/EDS, elemental analysis, and thermal analysis.