Biomass-Derived Biochar and CuO–NiO Nanocomposites: Eco-Friendly Solutions for Environmental Cleanup

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of coconut biochar (CBA1), groundnut biochar (GBA1), and coconut biochar/CuO–NiO (CBA1/CuO–NiO) and groundnut biochar/CuO–NiO (GBA1/CuO–NiO) nanocomposites (NCs) designed for morphology and size-dependent applications in environmental remediation. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of crystalline cubic and monoclinic structures. At the same time, SEM and TEM images revealed rough, macro-porous, and layered sheet structures with particle sizes ranging from 9 to 80 nm. Notably, the CBA1/CuO–NiO NCs exhibited exceptional photocatalytic activity, decomposing 95.15% of 10 ppm methylene blue dye solution. Antibacterial assessments demonstrated efficacy against B. subtilis, S. aureus, and E. coli. These findings underscore the crucial role of morphology in determining the diverse properties of the NCs. Moreover, the CBA1/CuO–NiO NCs displayed improved efficacy compared to previous iterations, highlighting their potential for environmental applications. Future research directions should prioritize scaling up synthesis, enhancing stability, and evaluating environmental implications. This study contributes significant insights into the development of sustainable NCs for environmental remediation, offering promising avenues for addressing environmental challenges.