Sustainable Carbon Nanomaterials from Biomass Precursors: Green Synthesis Strategies and Environmental Applications
Ernesto Almaraz-Vega, Aislinn Itzel Morales-Vargas, Guillermo Gómez Delgado, Laura Castellanos-Arteaga, Ofelia Iñiguez Gómez, Claudia Cecilia Flores Salcedo
Abstract
Environmental pollution caused by industrialization and population growth has intensified the demand for sustainable materials capable of mitigating contaminants effectively. In this context, the green synthesis of carbon-based nanomaterials derived from biomass has gained significant attention as an eco-friendly and renewable approach that reduces dependence on fossil resources. These nanomaterials exhibit outstanding physicochemical characteristics, including high surface area, tunable porosity, abundant functional groups, and excellent stability, which enhance their performance in environmental remediation. Specifically, biomass-derived carbon nanomaterials have demonstrated remarkable efficiency as adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals and organic pollutants, as well as photocatalysts for the degradation of toxic compounds under visible light irradiation. The physicochemical properties of the resulting materials are strongly influenced by the type and pretreatment of the biomass, along with synthesis parameters such as pyrolysis temperature, activation process, and heteroatom doping. This review highlights recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, and environmental applications of biomass-derived carbon nanomaterials, emphasizing their potential as cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable solutions for wastewater treatment and pollutant degradation in both aquatic and atmospheric systems.