Graphene-like porous carbon nanostructure from Bengal gram bean husk and its application for fast and efficient adsorption of organic dyes

Graphene-like porous carbon nanostructure (BGBH-C-K) is prepared using the Bengal gram bean husk (BGBH) as agro-waste biomass via alkali-activation. Abundance of micropores in the BGBH-C-K furnished high pore volume (0.834 cm(3).g(-1)) and surface area (1710 m(2).g(-1)). The Tr-electron rich graphitic domains, remarkable textural properties, thorough distribution of micro and meso pores, and presence of oxygen functionalities as deduced by HRTEM, XPS, FTIR, and N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherm promise the potential of BGBH-C-K for adsorption of organic dyes. The experimental data revealed excellent adsorption capacity of BGBH-C-K for methylene blue (469 mg.g(-1); cationic dye) and methyl orange (418 mg.g(-1); anionic dye). The pi-pi interaction, hydrogen linkage, electrostatic interaction, and trapping of dye molecules on the structural defects facilitate the adsorption of organic dyes by the BGBH-C-K. The adsorption capacity and efficiency are collectively monitored by textural and chemical properties of adsorbents along with size, shape, and charge of dye molecules. The finding revealed the remarkable capability of BGBH-C-K as a dye scavenger for efficient removal from industrial wastewater.