Activated bamboo charcoal in water treatment: A mini-review

Increased consumption and demand for freshwater has resulted to massive production of wastewater, which has toxins and is harmful to the environment if not treated. The use of permeable reactive barriers using activated carbon has proven to be a low cost and environmental friendlier solution to the problem compared to conventional methods. This minireview demonstrated the use of bamboo activated carbon, which is mesoporous in treating wastewater pollutants through adsorptive processes. The paper discusses the chemical and physical processes involved in activation and carbonization of bamboo charcoal, its adsorptive and structural characteristics. Case examples of its application in wastewater treatment based on literature review are also evaluated. Overall, bamboo is a viable renewable biomass material used in wastewater treatment compared to alternative carbon-based materials such as wood charcoal, coconut shell activated charcoal and carbon nanotubes.