Biochar supported Ag/Cu-ZrO₂ nano-hetero assembly for enhanced adsorption of heavy metal ions and biomedical applications

The current research describe a multifunctional biochar-supported Ag/Cu-ZrO₂ (AB/AgCZ) nanostructure designed for the efficient sequestration of Cr (VI) and Cd (II) from industrial effluents. Additionally, nanocomposite serves as an agent for biomedical applications. Mangifera indica bark was utilized for biochar preparation. The synthesized nanocomposite underwent instrumental testing, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scaning electron microscopy (FESEM)/EDX elemental mapping, powder-X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Pore size analysis via BJH plot revealed a peak diameter of 1.26 nm. The biochar-supported Ag/Cu-ZrO₂ nanocomposite exhibited impressive adsorption capacities, with percentages reaching 95.88% for Cr (VI) and 94.36% for Cd (II). The study delved into the adsorption mechanism for noxious heavy metal ions through various isotherm and kinetic models. Furthermore, AB/AgCZ nanocomposite displayed noteworthy antibacterial activity against E. coli, leading to no bacterial growth after 24 h of incubation. An assessment of anticancer activity on the cultured SH-SY5Y cell line revealed a substantial death rate (74%) of cancerous cells in neuronal cells. In summary, this study highlights the efficacy of the AB/AgCZ nanocomposite as a robust adsorbent for wastewater contaminants, coupled with its promising biomedical applications. The multifunctional nature of the nanocomposite makes it a versatile material for addressing environmental and health challenges.