Enhanced removal of PVC nanoplastics from water using microwave-activated palm frond biochar

Nanoplastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is increasingly reported in aquatic environments, yet remains difficult to capture with conventional treatment. This study develops a low-cost sorbent from palm-frond waste by microwave activation and NaOH treatment, and further produces a magnetically retrievable variant by depositing Fe?O?. Materials prepared at 800 W for 20 min using NaOH (0.5, 2, and 4 M) were characterized by FTIR, FESEM, and XRD, then evaluated in batch tests across initial PVC concentrations of 0.2-1.0 ppm, sorbent doses of 0.1-1.0 g L?¹, and contact times up to 30 min. The biochar achieved complete removal at 0.2 ppm and 99% at 1.0 ppm within 30 min, with performance increasing with dose and contact time. At 0.6 ppm, removal rose from 89 to 97% as contact time approached 30 min. Spectroscopic and microscopic analyses indicate that oxygenated surface groups and hierarchical porosity underpin hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions with PVC, while magnetization enables rapid post-treatment separation without compromising the active surface. By valorizing agricultural waste into an efficient, retrievable sorbent, this work offers a practical, energy-lean pathway for nanoplastic remediation.