Preliminary study of Tamarindus indica seeds as potential adsorbent for turbidity removal in wastewater

Abstract

The search for low-cost and sustainable water treatment materials has turned attention toward agro-waste as a renewable resource. In this study, Tamarindus indica seeds were explored as a precursor for activated carbon (AC) synthesis, aiming to enhance turbidity removal in wastewater. Seeds were chemically activated with phosphoric acid and carbonized under controlled heating regimes. The resulting AC was systematically characterized: FTIR revealed enriched hydroxyl and carboxyl functionalities; XRD confirmed an amorphous carbon matrix favorable for adsorption; and SEM micrographs displayed well-developed mesopores. Performance testing against kaolin-based synthetic wastewater demonstrated that the 2 mm AC fraction achieved a maximum turbidity removal efficiency of 84.66%, closely approaching that of commercial AC. These findings establish Tamarindus indica seed-derived AC as an effective, eco-friendly, and economically viable adsorbent. Beyond its immediate application, this work underscores the broader potential of agricultural residues in circular bioeconomy frameworks, where waste valorization can yield scalable materials for decentralized water purification and sustainable environmental remediation.