This study is the first report of biochar obtained from rice straw biomass as a green precursor for cost effective wide scale synthesis of graphene oxide nanoplatelets (GONps). These GONps were further implemented for adsorption crystal violet (CV) from aqueous solutions. Few selected experimental parameters were optimised using Central Composite Design feature of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The GONps were characterized with surface SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD and AFM. Results indicated biochar as a sustainable alternative for graphite in GONP synthesis and GONps to be a clean ecofriendly adsorbent effective in highly reduced dosage and time of contact. (C) 2017 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.