NANOSTRUCTURED CARBON DOT FROM MUSA PARADISIACA (PLANTAIN) PEELS FOR THE REMOVAL OF TSS AND TDS FROM PRODUCED WATER

This study synthesized nanostructured carbon dots from Musa paradisiaca (plantain) peels and evaluated their effectiveness in removing Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) from produced water. Carbon dots were prepared via hydrothermal carbonization at 180°C for 6 hours, followed by H₂O₂/NaOH functionalization, and characterized using SEM, EDX, TEM, XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, and TGA. Batch adsorption experiments investigated the effects of contact time (30-150 minutes) and adsorbent dosage (0.5-2.5g/100mL), with Response Surface Methodology employed for process optimization. Characterization confirmed carbon dots with 67.20 wt% carbon composition, graphitic structure, and thermal stability up to 285°C. Maximum removal efficiencies of 72.5% for TSS and 67.3% for TDS were achieved at optimal conditions (150 minutes, 2.5g dosage), with adsorption capacities of 2.88 mg/g and 10.94 mg/g respectively. Statistical analysis yielded highly significant models (F>640, p0.99), identifying adsorbent dosage as the primary controlling factor. Kinetic studies revealed pseudo-second-order behavior (R²>0.998), confirming chemisorption mechanisms through oxygen-containing functional groups. This research demonstrates that plantain peel-derived carbon dots are effective, sustainable, and cost-efficient adsorbents for produced water treatment, offering dual benefits of agricultural waste valorization and environmental remediation.