The long-living radionuclides existing in nuclear wastes are a serious ecological threat. The present study delineates the application of amidoximefunctionalized Ficus virens aerial roots derived hydrochar (AO-f-ARHC) as a novel multifunctional absorbent material for retention of aqueous Eu 3+ ions. The physicochemical characterization of AO-f-ARHC was accomplished utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The adsorptive effectiveness of the synthesized adsorbent was estimated by using central composite design (CCD). Langmuir saturation capacity (Q m ) was 166 mg/g at 313 K. The adsorption kinetics data complied with pseudo second order kinetic model. The process spontaneity and endothermic behavior were manifested by the negative ΔG°(= −5.10 kJ/mol) and positive ΔH°(= 21.26 kJ/mol), respectively, at 313 K. The mechanism of adsorption primarily included electrostatic interaction, metal-π interaction, and pore-filling. AO-f-ARHC's Eu 3+ uptake efficacy in the presence of coexisting ions and real water samples along with the reusability potential confirmed its competence in wastewater treatment.