(1) Background: In this investigation, a composite
of MgO nanoparticles with Itsit biochar (MgO-IBC) has been used to
remove arsenate from contaminated water. The reduced adsorption capacity
of biochar (IBC), due to loss of functionalities under pyrolysis, is
compensated for with the composite MgO-IBC. (2) Methods: Batch scale
adsorption experiments were conducted by using MgO-IBC as an adsorbent
for the decontamination of arsenate from water. Functional groups,
elemental composition, surface morphology, and crystallinity of the
adsorbent were investigated by using FTIR, EDX, SEM and XRD techniques.
The effect of pH on arsenate adsorption by MgO-IBC was evaluated in the
pH range of 2 to 8, whereas the temperature effect was investigated in
the range of 303 K to 323 K. (3) Results: Both pH and temperature were
found to significantly influence the overall adsorption efficiency of
MgO-IBC for arsenate adsorption with lower pH and higher temperature
being suitable for higher arsenate adsorption. A kinetics study of
arsenate adsorption confirmed an equilibrium time of 240 min and a
pseudo-second-order model well-explained the kinetic adsorption data,
whereas the Langmuir model best fitted with the equilibrium arsenate
adsorption data. The spontaneity and the chemisorptive nature of
arsenate adsorption was confirmed by enthalpy, entropy, and activation
energy. Comparison of adsorbents in the literature with the current
study indicates that MgO-IBC composite has better adsorption capacity
for arsenate adsorption than several previously explored adsorbents. (4)
Conclusions: The higher adsorption capacity of MgO-IBC confirms its
suitability and efficient utilization for the removal of arsenate from
water.