TY  - JOUR
AU  - Nworie, Felix Sunday
AU  - Mbam, Chiamaka
AU  - Ogwa, Ogonna
AU  - Oroke, Clinton
AU  - Eze, Nkechi
AU  - Ike-Elechi, Chioma
AU  - Igwe, Collins Chidiebere
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/01
TI  - Novel Microporous Iron(III) Oxide and Silver Oxide <i>Chomolena odorata</i> Leaf Biochar Nanocomposite for the Treatment of Well Water
JO  - Catalysis Research
SP  - 007
VL  - 06
IS  - 03
AB  - In this study, iron(III) oxide-Chromolaena odorata leaf biochar nanocomposite (Fe2O3-COLBN) and silver oxide-Chromolaena odorata leaf biochar nanocomposite (Ag2O-COLBN) were prepared and used for the treatment of well water for household use. The fabricated nanocomposites and the pyrolyzed Chromolena odorata leaf biochar were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to elucidate the morphological, structural, and functional properties. The well water was assessed physicochemically and microbiologically using standard procedures and values compared to W.H.O standard. The heavy metal content and antimicrobial effectiveness of biochar and the nanocomposite (as well as biochemical and morphological tests) in the well water were evaluated using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and agar well diffusion method, respectively. Based on the results obtained, Ag2O-COLBN and Fe2O3-COLBN were stable after three-cycle treatment, multifunctional, and microporous, with an average crystallite size of 27-39 nm. Physicochemical data revealed reductions in turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), anion concentrations, and heavy metal concentrations. The antimicrobial assessment showed that 0.001 g each of Ag2O-COLBN and Fe2O3-COLBN inhibited the growth of pathogenic microorganisms in a single 30 min equilibration with 200 cm3 of well water samples. The nanocomposites (Ag2O-COLBN and Fe2O3-COLBN) are sustainable, low-cost, and efficient materials for well water purification, especially in rural areas, drought-prone areas, and in disaster management environments.
SN  - 2771-490X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/cr.2603007
DO  - 10.21926/cr.2603007
ID  - Nworie2026
ER  -