Exploring chemically and physically modified plant-based fiber biomass for biosorption in wastewater treatment: A concise review

Pervasive water contamination from domestic activities, agricultural waste, and industries has necessitated the development of effective and sustainable remediation technologies. Biosorption, using natural fibers as adsorbents, has emerged as a promising solution for the remediation of pollutants from wastewater. This study explores the potential of chemically and physically modified fiber biomass in biosorption, focusing on their application in wastewater treatment. Fiber biomass derived from agricultural residues is inherently abundant, low cost, and biodegradable, making them ideal to utilize in biosorption. The fiber's adsorption performance can be enhanced through strategic surface enhancements. Chemical treatments, such as incorporating reactive functional groups, and physical enhancements, like reducing the particle size and increasing porosity are crucial for fine-tuning the fiber's surface characteristics to selectively capture specific pollutants. Many studies showed that modified fibers efficiently remediated the pollutants compared to unmodified raw fibers. The modified fibers demonstrate superior adsorption capacities for a range of contaminants, including heavy metals, dyes, and oils by enhancing the interaction between the adsorbent and pollutants. This paper reviews the modification techniques of plant-based fiber biomass and evaluates their effectiveness in the biosorption of pollutants from wastewater. The findings highlight the critical role of eco-friendly and efficient biosorbents in advancing sustainable water management practices. [Display omitted] •The growing global challenge of water scarcity and the critical need for sustainable water conservation methods.•The advantages of adsorption, particularly biosorption, in removing a wide range of pollutants from water.•Modified fiber biomass as an effective bio-adsorbent with the potential to sustainably mitigate water pollution.