Application of biochar for the removal of pollutants from aqueous solutions

Biochar prepared from castor oil cake at different temperatures: A voltammetric study applied for Pb(2+), Cd(2+) and Cu(2+) ions preconcentration

Biochar is a carbonaceous material similar produced by pyrolysis of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions. Pyrolysis temperature is an important parameter that can alters biochar characteristics (e.g. surface area, pore size distribution and surface functional groups) and affects it efficacy for adsorption of several probes. In this work, biochar samples have been prepared from castor oil cake using different temperatures of pyrolysis (200-600°C). For the first time, a voltammetric procedure based on carbon paste modified electrode (CPME) was used to investigate the effect of temperature of pyrolysis on the adsorptive characteristics of biochar for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions. Besides the electrochemical techniques, several characterizations have been performed to evaluate the physicochemical properties of biochar in function of the increase of the pyrolysis temperature. Results suggest that biochar pyrolized at 400°C (BC400) showed a better potential for ions adsorption. The CPME modified with BC400 showed better relative current signal with adsorption affinity: Pb(II)>Cd(II)>Cu(II). Kinetic studies revealed that the pseudo-second order model describes more accurately the adsorption process suggesting that the surface reactions control the adsorption rate. Values found for amount adsorbed were 15.94±0.09; 4.29±0.13 and 2.38±0.39μgg(-1) for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively.

Alkali modified hydrochar of grape pomace as a perspective adsorbent of Pb(2+) from aqueous solution

Hydrochar produced via hydrothermal carbonization of grape pomace was considered as novel sorbent of Pb(2+) from aqueous solution. In order to enhance the adsorption capacity, hydrochar was chemically modified using 2 M KOH solution. Both materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction technique. Batch experiments were performed to examine the effect of sorbent dosage, pH and contact time. Obtained results showed that the KOH treatment increased the sorption capacity of hydrochar from 27.8 mg g(-1) up to 137 mg g(-1) at pH 5. Adsorption of lead on either of the materials was achieved through ion-exchange mechanism, chemisorption and Pb(2+)-π interaction. The Sips isotherm model gave the best fit with the experimental data obtained for Pb(2+) sorption using activated hydrochar. The adsorption kinetic followed a pseudo second-order model. Thermodynamic parameters implied that the Pb(2+) binding for hydrochar surface was spontaneous and exothermic process. Findings from this work suggest that the hydrothermal carbonization is a promising route for production of efficient Pb (2+) sorbents for wastewater treatment.

Phosphorus removal from secondary sewage and septage using sand media amended with biochar in constructed wetland mesocosms

To improve the performance efficiency of subsurface constructed wetlands (CWs), a variety of media have been tested. Recently, there has been a rising interest in biochar. This research aims to develop the effectiveness of sand media amended with biochar and two plants species (Melaleuca quinquenervia and Cymbopogon citratus) in removing phosphorus from sewage effluent in CWs. The experimental design consisted of vertical flow (VF) mesocosms with seven media treatments based on the proportions of biochar in the sand media which ranged from 0 to 25% by volume. During the first 8months, the mesocosms were loaded with secondary clarified wastewater (SCW) then septage was used for the remaining 8months. Inflow and outflow were monitored for total phosphorus (TP) and PO4-P. Plants were harvested at the end of the experiment and TP biomass was determined. Removal efficiencies of TP in the mesocosms loaded with SCW and septage ranged from 42 to 91% and 30 to 83%, respectively. Removal efficiencies of PO4-P ranged from 43 to -92% and 35 to 85% for SCW and septage, respectively. The results revealed that the sand media performed better than the biochar-amended media; increasing the proportion of biochar in the media decreased removal efficiency of phosphorus. However, after flushing due to major rain event, there was no significant difference between sand and sand augmented with 20% biochar. Total plant P ranged from 1.75g in the 20% biochar mesocosm to 2.10g in the sand only mesocosm. Plant uptake of P, at least in part, may be accredited for the better P removal efficiency in the sand media compared to the biochar-amended media.

Investigation of the adsorption-reduction mechanisms of hexavalent chromium by ramie biochars of different pyrolytic temperatures

To investigate the relationship between Cr(VI) adsorption mechanisms and physio-chemical properties of biochar, ramie residues were oxygen-limited pyrolyzed under temperature varying from 300 to 600°C. Batch adsorption experiments indicated that higher pyrolysis temperature limits Cr(VI) sorption in terms of capacity and affinity due to a higher aromatic structure and fewer polar functional groups in biochar. Both electrostatic (physical) and ionic (chemical) interactions were involved in the Cr(VI) removal. For low-temperature biochar, the simple physical adsorption was limited and the significant improvement in Cr(VI) sorption was attributed to abundant carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. The adsorption-reduction mechanisms could be concluded that Cr(VI) ions were electrostatically attracted by the positively charged biochar surface and reduced to Cr(III), and then the converted Cr(III) was retained or discharged into the solution. The study demonstrates ramie residues can be converted into biochar as a low-cost and effective sorbent for Cr(VI) removal.

Fast carbonization using fluidized bed for biochar production from reed black liquor: optimization for H2S removal

The biochar was produced from fast pyrolysis of reed black liquor using fluidized bed. Response surface methodology and the central composite design (CCD) were employed for determining optimal adsorbents with maximum H2S removal capacity. The operational parameters such as carbonization temperature (°C), duration (min) and space velocity (SV, L min(-1) kg(-1)) were chosen as independent variables in CCD. The statistical analysis indicates that the effects of carbonization temperature, duration, SV and combined effect of carbonization temperature and duration are all significant to the H2S removal capacity. The optimal condition for achieving the maximum H2S adsorption capacity for biochar is obtained as the follows: carbonization temperature (500°C), duration (5.7 min), SV (7300 L min(-1) kg(-1)) with H2S removal reaching 60 mg g(-1). The dynamic experimental results indicate a good performance in H2S removal by the produced biochar.

Characterization of biochar prepared from slow pyrolysis of Jordanian olive oil processing solid waste and adsorption efficiency of Hg2+ ions in aqueous solutions

Solid waste from Jordanian olive oil processing (OOSW) was used to prepare biochar samples by slow pyrolysis at terminal temperatures of 350, 450, 550 and 630 °C; henceforth known as BC-350, BC-450, BC-550 and BC-630, respectively. These samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, ash content, moisture content and surface area. The ability of the biochar to remove Hg²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions was investigated in laboratory scale batch experiments. The kinetics, effect of pH and temperature were studied. The optimum pH value for Hg²⁺ adsorption was 5. Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm model was the best fit for the experimental results. Based on the D-R model, the maximum adsorption capacities at 25 °C were 84.93, 94.48, 96.11 and 104.59 mg.g^-1, for BC-350, BC-450, BC-550 and BC-630, respectively. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was a good fit for the experimental data. The calculated change in free energy ΔG and enthalpy ΔH indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. The positive value of ΔS showed increased randomness of the solid/solution interface during the adsorption. The results indicated that biochar derived from OOSW can be a good adsorbent for treatment of water contaminated with Hg²⁺.

Synthesis of Mg-Decorated Carbon Nanocomposites from MesoCarbon MicroBeads (MCMB) Graphite: Application for Wastewater Treatment

The potential application of a carbon nanocomposite from battery anode materials modified with magnesium (Mg) was explored to remove phosphate from aqueous solutions. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that the Mg content of the prepared Mg/C composite is around 23.5%. Laboratory batch adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherm experiments demonstrate that the composite has an extremely high phosphate adsorption capacity of 406.3 mg PO₄/g, which is among the highest phosphate removal abilities reported so far. Results from XRD, SEM-EDX, and XPS analyses of the postsorption Mg/C composite indicate that phosphate adsorption is mainly controlled by the precipitation of P to form Mg₃(PO₄)₂·8H₂O and MgHPO₄·1.2H₂O nanocrystals on the surface of the adsorbent. The approach of synthesizing Mg-enriched carbon-based adsorbent described in this work provides new opportunities for disposing spent batteries and developing a low-cost and high-efficiency adsorbent to mitigate eutrophication.

Recovery of phosphate from aqueous solution by magnesium oxide decorated magnetic biochar and its potential as phosphate-based fertilizer substitute

The present study deals with the preparation of a novel MgO-impregnated magnetic biochar (MMSB) for phosphate recovery from aqueous solution. The MMSB was evaluated against sugarcane harvest residue biochar (SB) and magnetic biochar without Mg (MSB). The results showed that increasing Mg content in MMSB greatly improved the phosphate adsorption compared to SB and MSB, with 20% Mg-impregnated MMSB (20MMSB) recovering more than 99.5% phosphate from aqueous solution. Phosphate adsorption capacity of 20MMSB was 121.25mgP/g at pH 4 and only 37.53% of recovered phosphate was desorbed by 0.01mol/L HCl solutions. XRD and FTIR analysis showed that phosphate sorption mechanisms involved predominately with surface electrostatic attraction and precipitation with impregnated MgO and surface inner-sphere complexation with Fe oxide. The 20MMSB exhibited both maximum phosphate sorption and strong magnetic separation ability. Overall, phosphate-loaded 20MMSB significantly enhanced plant growth and could be used as a potential substitute for phosphate-based fertilizer.

Co-transport of Pesticide Acetamiprid and Silica Nanoparticles in Biochar-Amended Sand Porous Media

The role of biochar as a soil amendment on the transport of acetamiprid, a widely used neonicotinoid pesticide, is little known. We conducted saturated column experiments to examine cotransport of acetamiprid and silica nanoparticles (NPs) in pure and biochar-amended sands. Retention of acetamiprid was minor in the pure sand, whereas application of biochar in the sand significantly increased retention. Retention was greater at lower ionic strengths and near neutral pH values and was attributed to biodegradation and sorption through π-π interaction and pore filling. The convection-diffusion equation with inclusion of first-order sorption, desorption, and degradation well described the transport of acetamiprid in the biochar-amended sand. The simulation results show that the sorption rate did not change with pH. This is because the acetamiprid is nonionic and cannot be bonded with the biochar by protonation or deprotonation. The desorption rate was independent of variation of solution chemistry, indicating that desorption was a physical process (i.e., pore diffusion). Application of biochar in the sand had little influence on the transport of silica NPs in NaCl but caused complete attachment in CaCl. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy suggested that the enhanced attachment was due to cation bridging between silica NPs and functional groups in biochar by the Ca. The co-presence of acetamiprid and silica NPs in the solutions enhanced transport of acetamiprid and NPs in the biochar-amended sand by competing for the binding sites on the biochar surfaces.

Adsorption of cadmium by biochar produced from pyrolysis of corn stalk in aqueous solution

The purpose of this work is to investigate adsorption characteristic of corn stalk (CS) biochar for removal of cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) from aqueous solution. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of pH value of solution, adsorbent particle size, adsorbent dosage, and ionic strength of solution on the adsorption of Cd²⁺ onto biochar that was pyrolytically produced from CS at 300 °C. The results showed that the initial pH value of solution played an important role in adsorption. The adsorptive amount of Cd²⁺ onto the biochar decreased with increasing the adsorbent dosage, adsorbent particle size, and ionic strength, while it increased with increasing the initial pH value of solution and temperature. Cd²⁺ was removed efficiently and quickly from aqueous solutions by the biochar with a maximum capacity of 33.94 mg/g. The adsorption process was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with the correlation coefficients greater than 0.986. The adsorption isotherm could be well fitted by the Langmuir model. The thermodynamic studies showed that the adsorption of Cd²⁺ onto the biochar was a spontaneous and exothermic process. The results indicate that CS biochar can be considered as an efficient adsorbent.

Contributions of different biomass components to the sorption of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene under a series of pyrolytic temperatures

In order to investigate contributions of cellulose (CEL), hemicellulose (HEM), lignin (LIG) to the sorption capacity of biochar derived from lignocellulose, the individual component and their artificially modeled biomass mixture (C-H-L) were pyrolyzed under oxygen-limited condition at various pyrolytic temperatures (i.e. 250, 350, 500, 700 °C). The characterization analysis of biochars and sorption batch experiments were carried out. Variations in physiochemical property of different component biochars resulted in discrepancies in their ability to function as sorbents to 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-TCB). The maximum mass sorption capacity (Qfm) of 1,2,4-TCB was the greatest on CEL biochars ranging from 58.31 to 601.20 mg g(-1), and can be best explained by their huge surface area and micropore volume. Hydrophobic partitioning-sorption into 'soft' amorphous alkyl carbon may account for the second greatest Qfm (45.09-56.57 mg g(-1)) on HEM biochars under low pyrolytic temperatures (250-350 °C) with the lowest surface area. LIG biochars with more compact and smooth aromatic structure surface may undergo a surface monolayer specific adsorption. The Qfm (87.86-196.53 mg g(-1)) on C-H-L biochars were largely dependent on CEL and HEM components for their outstanding sorption capacity and higher content in biomass. Therefore, the results highlighted the importance of CEL and HEM components for 1,2,4-TCB sorption to biochar.

Progress in the preparation and application of modified biochar for improved contaminant removal from water and wastewater

Modified biochar (BC) is reviewed in its preparation, functionality, applications and regeneration. The nature of precursor materials, preparatory conditions and modification methods are key factors influencing BC properties. Steam activation is unsuitable for improving BC surface functionality compared with chemical modifications. Alkali-treated BC possesses the highest surface functionality. Both alkali modified BC and nanomaterial impregnated BC composites are highly favorable for enhancing the adsorption of different contaminants from wastewater. Acidic treatment provides more oxygenated functional groups on BC surfaces. The Langmuir isotherm model provides the best fit for sorption equilibria of heavy metals and anionic contaminants, while the Freundlich isotherm model is the best fit for emerging contaminants. The pseudo 2(nd) order is the most appropriate model of sorption kinetics for all contaminants. Future research should focus on industry-scale applications and hybrid systems for contaminant removal due to scarcity of data.

Biochar-based nano-composites for the decontamination of wastewater: A review

Synthesizing biochar-based nano-composites can obtain new composites and combine the advantages of biochar with nano-materials. The resulting composites usually exhibit great improvement in functional groups, pore properties, surface active sites, catalytic degradation ability and easy to separation. These composites have excellent abilities to adsorb a range of contaminants from aqueous solutions. Particularly, catalytic material-coated biochar can exert simultaneous adsorption and catalytic degradation function for organic contaminants removal. Synthesizing biochar-based nano-composites has become an important practice for expanding the environmental applications of biochar and nanotechnology. This paper aims to review and summarize the various synthesis techniques for biochar-based nano-composites and their effects on the decontamination of wastewater. The characteristic and advantages of existing synthesis methods are summarized and discussed. Application of biochar-based nano-composites for different contaminants removal and the underlying mechanisms are reviewed. Furthermore, knowledge gaps that exist in the fabrication and application of biochar-based nano-composites are also identified.

Varying effect of biochar on Cd, Pb and As mobility in a multi-metal contaminated paddy soil

Cd, Pb and As stand as the most prominent contaminants prevailing in Chinese soils. In the present study, biochars derived from water hyacinth (BCW) and rice straw (BCR) were investigated regarding their applicability and durability in soil Cd, Pb, and As immobilization under acid precipitation. Total Cd, Pb, and As in both BCs were below the maximum allowed threshold according to biochar toxicity standard recommended by International Biochar Initiative. To evaluate BCs effect on Cd, Pb, As bioavailability and mobility, CaCl2, KH2PO4 and SPLP extractions were firstly carried out. In neutral extraction with CaCl2 and KH2PO4, significantly reduced Cd/Pb concentrations in CaCl2 extract along with elevated KH2PO4-extractable As were recorded with either BC at 2% or 5%. In SPLP with simulated acid rainwater as extractant, comparable Cd, Pb and As levels were determined in SPLP extract with 2% BCW, while slight to significant increase in SPLP-Cd, Pb or As was recorded with other treatments. Longer-term leaching column test further confirmed the high durability of 2% BCW in Cd immobilization under continuous acid exposure. In parallel, little increase in As concentrations in eluate was determined with 2% BCW compared to no-biochar control, indicating a lowered risk of As mobilization with acid input. However, remarkably higher Pb in leachate from both BCW-only control and 2% BCW-amended soils were noticed at the initial stage of acid leaching, indicating a higher acid-solubility of Pb minerals in BCW (most probably PbO) than in tested soil (PbO2, PbAs2O6). Taken together, BCW exhibited important potential for soil Cd sequestration with little effect on As mobilization under acid precipitation. But it may simultaneously load highly acid-soluble Pb minerals into soils, resulting in elevated Pb mobility upon acid exposure. Therefore, more stringent threshold for Pb content in biochar need to be put forward to secure biochar application in soils subject to anthropogenic acidification.

Biochar sorbents for sulfamethoxazole removal from surface water, stormwater, and wastewater effluent

This study examined sorption of the human and veterinary antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) at environmentally relevant concentrations from laboratory clean water, surface water, stormwater, and wastewater effluent to wood and wastewater-sludge derived biochars produced under a wide range of conditions. SMX sorption by commercial powdered activated carbon (PAC) was also quantified as a benchmark. Wood-based biochar produced around 850 °C performed similarly to PAC. Biochar sorption capacity increased with surface area up to ∼400 m(2)/g. However, a further increase in surface area did not correspond to an increase in sorption capacity. Sorbent H:C ratios correlated with SMX uptake by PAC and wood-based biochars, but not for the sludge-based biochars. This is possibly due to an indirect influence of the high ash content in sludge-based biochars, as the isolated ash fraction exhibited negligible SMX sorption capacity. The presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the natural and anthropogenic waters fouled most of the sorbents (i.e., decreased SMX uptake). The sludge-based biochars experienced less DOM fouling relative to wood-based biochar, particularly in the wastewater effluent. Biochar and PAC sorption kinetics were similar when examined over a contact time of four-hours, suggesting their performance ranking would be consistent at contact times typically utilized in water treatment systems. In the presence of DOM, SMX relative removal (C/C0) was independent of SMX initial concentration when the initial concentration was below 10 μg/L, thus permitting the relative removal results to be applied for different SMX initial concentrations typical of environmental and anthropogenically impacted waters.

Low-energy hydraulic fracturing wastewater treatment via AC powered electrocoagulation with biochar

Produced and flowback waters are the largest byproducts associated with unconventional oil and gas exploration and production. Sustainable and low cost technologies are needed to treat and reuse this wastewater to avoid the environmental problems associated with current management practices (i.e., deep well injection). This study presents a new process to integrate AC-powered electrocoagulation (EC) with granular biochar to dramatically reduce energy use and electrode passivation while achieving high treatment efficiency. Results show achieving a 99% turbidity and TSS removal for the AC-EC-biochar system only used 0.079 kWh/m(3) or 0.15 kWh/kg TSS, which is 70% lower than traditional DC-EC systems and orders of magnitude lower than previous studies. The amount of biochar added positively correlates with energy saving, and further studies are needed to improve organic carbon and salt removal through system integration.

Efficacy of carbonaceous nanocomposites for sorbing ionizable antibiotic sulfamethazine from aqueous solution

This paper investigated the key factors and mechanisms of sulfamethazine (SMT) sorption on a novel carbonaceous nanocomposite, and the effects of harsh aging on SMT sorption in the presence and absence of soil and before as well as after aging. The carbonaceous nanocomposites were synthesized by dip-coating straw biomass in carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes solution and then pyrolyzed at 300 °C and 600 °C in the absence of air. The sorption performance of high temperature carbonaceous nanocomposite on SMT was excellent, as measured sorption distribution coefficient in the order of 10(3)-10(5.5) L kg(-1). Carbonaceous nanocomposites were aged either alone or mixed with soil via exposure to nutrients and soil extract (biological aging) or 80 °C for 100 d (chemical aging). No obvious effects of harsh aging on SMT sorption were observed in the presence of soil and/or biological and chemical aging. The primary mechanisms for SMT sorption included partition caused by Van der Waals forces and adsorption caused by hydrogen bonding and π-π electron-donor-acceptor interaction. Comprehensively considering the cost, renewability, and the application to real water samples, the carbonaceous nanocomposites have potential in removal of SMT and possibly other persistent organic pollutants from wastewater.

Effect of H2O2 concentrations on copper removal using the modified hydrothermal biochar

This study investigated effect of H2O2 concentrations on copper removal using H2O2 modified hydrothermal carbonization Cymbopogon schoenanthus L. Spreng (HLG). Sorption behaviors of Cu (II) on the modified HLG by 20% H2O2 (mHLG2) could be the most desirable. Based on Langmuir isotherm, the maximum amount of Cu (II) uptake was in the sequence of mHLG2 (53.8mgg(-1))>mHLG1 (44.2mgg(-1))>mHLG3 (42.0mgg(-1))>mHLG0 (35.8mgg(-1)), which was higher than the results from majority of previous studies, suggesting that H2O2 modification advanced sorption capacity of hydrothermal biochars evidently. Effect mechanisms exploration indicated that the difference of Cu (II) removal by biochars before and after the modification was mainly related to functional groups. Carboxylic group was responsible for the best sorption property of Cu (II) by mHLG2, which was attributed to its significant relationships with H2O2 modification and Cu (II) removal.

Adsorption of methylene blue on biochar microparticles derived from different waste materials

Biochar microparticles were prepared from three different types of biochar, derived from waste materials, such as pine wood (BC-PW), pig manure (BC-PM) and cardboard (BC-PD) under various pyrolysis conditions. The microparticles were prepared by dry grinding and sequential sieving through various ASTM sieves. Particle size and specific surface area were analyzed using laser particle size analyzer. The particles were further characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The adsorption capacity of each class of adsorbent was determined by methylene blue adsorption tests in comparison with commercially available activated carbon. Experimental results showed that dye adsorption increased with initial concentration of the adsorbate and biochar dosage. Biochar microparticles prepared from different sources exhibited improvement in adsorption capacity (7.8±0.5 mg g(-1) to 25±1.3 mg g(-1)) in comparison with raw biochar and commercially available activated carbon. The adsorption capacity varied with source material and method of production of biochar. The maximum adsorption capacity was 25 mg g(-1) for BC-PM microparticles at 25°C for an adsorbate concentration of 500 mg L(-1) in comparison with 48.30±3.6 mg g(-1) for activated carbon. The equilibrium adsorption data were best described by Langmuir model for BC-PM and BC-PD and Freundlich model for BC-PW.

Lead and cadmium sorption mechanisms on magnetically modified biochars

This paper discusses Cd(II) and Pb(II) sorption efficiency of biochars modified by impregnation with magnetic particles. All selected biochar characteristics were significantly affected after the modification. More specifically, the cation exchange capacity increased after the modification, except for grape stalk biochar. However, the changes in the pH value, PZC, and BET surface after modification process were less pronounced. The metal loading rate was also significantly improved, especially for Cd(II) sorption on/in nut shield and plum stone biochars (10- and 16-times increase, respectively). The results indicated that cation exchange (as a metal sorption mechanism) was strengthened after Fe oxide impregnation, which limited the desorbed amount of tested metals. In contrast, the magnetization of grape stalk biochar reduced Pb(II) sorption in comparison with that of pristine biochar. Magnetic modification is, therefore, more efficient for biochars with well-developed structure and for more mobile metals, such as Cd(II).

Sorption of Lincomycin by Manure-Derived Biochars from Water

The presence of antibiotics in agroecosystems raises concerns about the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and adverse effects to human health. Soil amendment with biochars pyrolized from manures may be a win-win strategy for novel manure management and antibiotics abatement. In this study, lincomycin sorption by manure-derived biochars was examined using batch sorption experiments. Lincomycin sorption was characterized by two-stage kinetics with fast sorption reaching quasi-equilibrium in the first 2 d, followed by slow sorption over 180 d. The fast sorption was primarily attributed to surface adsorption, whereas the long-term slow sorption was controlled by slow diffusion of lincomycin into biochar pore structures. Two-day sorption experiments were performed to explore effects of biochar particle size, solid/water ratio, solution pH, and ionic strength. Lincomycin sorption to biochars was greater at solution pH 6.0 to 7.5 below the dissociation constant of lincomycin (7.6) than at pH 9.9 to 10.4 above its dissociation constant. The enhanced lincomycin sorption at lower pH likely resulted from electrostatic attraction between the positively charged lincomycin and the negatively charged biochar surfaces. This was corroborated by the observation that lincomycin sorption decreased with increasing ionic strength at lower pH (6.7) but remained constant at higher pH (10). The long-term lincomycin sequestration by biochars was largely due to pore diffusion plausibly independent of solution pH and ionic composition. Therefore, manure-derived biochars had lasting lincomycin sequestration capacity, implying that biochar soil amendment could significantly affect the distribution, transport, and bioavailability of lincomycin in agroecosystems.

Mg-Enriched Engineered Carbon from Lithium-Ion Battery Anode for Phosphate Removal

Three Mg-enriched engineered carbons (mesocarbon microbeads, MCMB) were produced from lithium-ion battery anode using concentrated nitric acid oxidization and magnesium nitrate pretreatment. The obtained 15%Mg-MCMB, 30%Mg-MCMB, and 40%Mg-MCMB have magnesium level of 10.19, 19.13, and 19.96%, respectively. FTIR spectrum shows the functional groups present on the oxidized MCMB including OH, C═O, C-H, and C-O. XRD, SEM-EDX, and XPS analyses show that nanoscale Mg(OH)2 and MgO particles were presented on the surface of the Mg-MCMB samples, which could serve as the main adsorption mechanism as to precipitate phosphate from aqueous solutions. The sorption experiments indicate that Mg modification dramatically promotes MCMB's phosphate removal ability and phosphate removal rates reach as high as 95%. Thus, modification of the spent LIBs anode could provide a novel direction of preparing wastewater adsorbent and develop an innovative way to achieve sustainable development.

The rectorite/carbon composites: Fabrication, modification and adsorption

The rectorite (REC)/carbon composites (RECCs) were prepared with hydrothermal carbonization using starch as carbon source and REC as the template. RECCs were modified with carbon disulfide (CS2) to obtain RECC xanthate (RECCX) composites. The hydrothermal process introduced a large number of oxygen-containing groups by depositing carbon layers onto the surface of REC, and the CS2 modification brought xanthate groups into REC. The adsorption process of Pb(2+) was investigated. Compared with REC, both RECC and RECCX could absorb more Pb(2+). The oxygen-containing groups increased the Pb(2+) adsorption in RECC. With the increasing of CS2 dosages, the adsorption capacities of RECCXs obviously improved due to the formation of the chelation between Pb(2+) and xanthate groups. The kinetic adsorption and the isotherm data matched the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir model well. The maximum adsorption capacities could reach 225.7 and 431.0 mg/g for RECC and RECCX, respectively. RECCXs were competitive with other absorbents, because REC, carbon layers and xanthate groups in RECCX composites all contributed to the Pb(2+) adsorption. RECCX could be easily regenerated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA) solution.

Effective removal of Cr(vi) using β-cyclodextrin–chitosan modified biochars with adsorption/reduction bifuctional roles

In this work, beta-cyclodextrin–chitosan modified walnut shell biochars (β-CCWB) were synthesized as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal Cr(vi) from aqueous solutions.

Chemical forms and risk assessment of heavy metals in sludge-biochar produced by microwave-induced low temperature pyrolysis

Microwave-induced low temperature pyrolysis can reduce the risk of most heavy metals in biochar prepared from sewage sludge, except the Cd and Pb.

N-Doped biochar derived from co-hydrothermal carbonization of rice husk and Chlorella pyrenoidosa for enhancing copper ion adsorption

Biochar derived from rice husk was modified by microalgae Chlorella pyrenoidosa as a natural nitrogen-rich precursor in a hydrothermal environment for copper ion (Cu(ii)) adsorption.

Production of biochars from Ca impregnated ramie biomass (Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud.) and their phosphate removal potential

This work explored the efficiency and mechanisms of phosphate (P) removal by Ca-impregnated biochar prepared from CaCl₂-pretreated ramie stem (Ca-RSB) and ramie bark (Ca-RBB).

Influence of morphological and chemical features of biochar on hydrogen peroxide activation: implications on sulfamethazine degradation

This paper investigated how morphological and chemical features of biochars influenced hydroxyl radical generation and sulfamethazine degradation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.

Influence of pyrolysis temperature on characteristics and phosphate adsorption capability of biochar derived from waste-marine macroalgae (Undaria pinnatifida roots)

The collected roots of Undaria pinnatifida, the main waste in farming sites, accounting for 40-60% of annual production, was pyrolyzed under temperature ranging from 200 to 800°C to evaluate the influence of pyrolysis temperature on biochar properties and phosphate adsorption capacity. It was confirmed that an increase in the pyrolysis temperature led to a decrease of the yield of biochar, while ash content remained almost due to carbonization followed by mineralization. Elemental analysis results indicated an increase in aromaticity and decreased polarity at a high pyrolysis temperature. When the pyrolysis temperature was increased up to 400°C, the phosphate adsorption capacity was enhanced, while a further increase in the pyrolysis temperature lowered the adsorption capacity due to blocked pores in the biochar during pyrolysis. Finally, a pot experiment revealed that biochar derived from waste-marine macroalgae is a potent and eco-friendly alternative material for fertilizer after phosphate adsorption.

Removal of metformin hydrochloride by Alternanthera philoxeroides biomass derived porous carbon materials treated with hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide modified biochar (mBC) derived fromAlternanthera philoxeroides(AP) biomass was used to investigate the adsorption properties of metformin hydrochloride (MF).

Competitive removal of Cd(ii) and Pb(ii) by biochars produced from water hyacinths: performance and mechanism

Three biochars converted from water hyacinth biomass at 300, 450, and 600 °C were used to investigate the adsorption properties of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺.

Effective removal of cationic dyes using carboxylate-functionalized cellulose nanocrystals

A novel carboxylate-functionalized adsorbent (CNM) based on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was prepared and adsorptive removal of multiple cationic dyes (crystal violet, methylene blue, malachite green and basic fuchsin) were investigated. The maximum cationic dyes uptakes ranged from 30.0 to 348.9mgg(-1) following the order of: CNM>CNCs>raw cellulose. Furthermore, the removal of crystal violet by CNM was investigated representatively where kinetics, thermodynamics and isotherm analysis were employed to explain in-depth information associated with the adsorption process. The adsorption kinetics fitted well to the pseudo-second-order model and thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. Meanwhile, isothermal study demonstrated a monolayer adsorption behavior following the Langmuir model with a calculated maximum absorption capacity of 243.9mgg(-1), which is higher than those of many other reported adsorbents. These findings prefigure the promising potentials of CNM as a versatile adsorbent for the efficient removal of cationic dyes from wastewater.

Adsorptive removal of antibiotics from water and wastewater: Progress and challenges

Antibiotics as emerging contaminants are of global concern due to the development of antibiotic resistant genes potentially causing superbugs. Current wastewater treatment technology cannot sufficiently remove antibiotics from sewage, hence new and low-cost technology is needed. Adsorptive materials have been extensively used for the conditioning, remediation and removal of inorganic and organic hazardous materials, although their application for removing antibiotics has been reported for ~30 out of 250 antibiotics so far. The literature on the adsorptive removal of antibiotics using different adsorptive materials is summarized and critically reviewed, by comparing different adsorbents with varying physicochemical characteristics. The efficiency for removing antibiotics from water and wastewater by different adsorbents has been evaluated by examining their adsorption coefficient (Kd) values. For sulfamethoxazole the different adsorbents followed the trend: biochar (BC)> multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)>graphite = clay minerals, and for tetracycline the adsorptive materials followed the trend: SWCNT > graphite > MWCNT = activated carbon (AC) > bentonite = humic substance = clay minerals. The underlying controlling parameters for the adsorption technology have been examined. In addition, the cost of preparing adsorbents has been estimated, which followed the order of BCs < ACs < ion exchange resins < MWCNTs < SWCNTs. The future research challenges on process integration, production and modification of low-cost adsorbents are elaborated.

Biochar amendment to lead-contaminated soil: Effects on fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity and phytotoxicity to rice

The amendment effects of biochar on total microbial activity was measured by fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolytic activity, and phytotoxicity in Pb(II)-contaminated soils was examined by the application of 4 different biochars to soil, with rice as a test plant. The FDA hydrolytic activities of biochar-amended soils were much higher than that of the control. The survival rate of rice in lead-contaminated biochar-amended soils showed significant improvement over the control, especially for bamboo biochar-amended soil (93.3%). In addition, rice grown in lead-contaminated control sediment displayed lower biomass production than that in biochar-amended soil. The immobilization of Pb(II) and the positive effects of biochar amendment on soil microorganisms may account for these effects. The results suggest that biochar may have an excellent ability to mitigate the toxic effects of Pb(II) on soil microorganisms and rice.

Biochar efficiency in pesticides sorption as a function of production variables--a review

Biochar is a stabilized, carbon-rich by-product derived from pyrolysis of biomass. Recently, biochar has received extensive attentions because of its multi-functionality for agricultural and environmental applications. Biochar can contribute to sequestration of atmosphere carbon, improvement of soils quality, and mitigation of environmental contaminations. The capability of biochar for specific application is determined by its properties which are predominantly controlled by source material and pyrolysis route variables. The biochar sorption potential is a function of its surface area, pores volume, ash contents, and functional groups. The impacts of each production factors on these characteristics of biochar need to be well-understood to design efficient biochars for pesticides removal. The effects of biomass type on biochar sorptive properties are determined by relative amounts of its lingo-cellulosic compounds, minerals content, particles size, and structure. The highest treatment temperature is the most effective pyrolysis factor in the determination of biochar sorption behavior. The expansion of micro-porosity and surface area and also increase of biochar organic carbon content and hydrophobicity mostly happen by pyrolysis peak temperature rise. These changes make biochar suitable for immobilization of organic contaminants. Heating rate, gas pressure, and reaction retention time after the pyrolysis temperatures are sequentially important pyrolysis variables effective on biochar sorptive properties. This review compiles the available knowledge about the impacts of production variables on biochars sorptive properties and discusses the aging process as the main factor in post-pyrolysis alterations of biochars sorption capacity. The drawbacks of biochar application in the environment are summarized as well in the last section.

Immobilization of Cd(II) in acid soil amended with different biochars with a long term of incubation

Biochars derived from bamboo, coconut shell, pine wood shavings, and sugarcane bagasse were applied into Ultisol to investigate their effects on Cd(II) immobilization. After 360 days of incubation, the physical/chemical properties of the Ultisol were improved by the addition of different biochars. As a result, the maximum adsorption capacities of soil for Cd(II) were increased from 8.02 to 9.07-11.51 mmol/kg, and bamboo biochar showed the highest effect on Cd(II) immobilization. The Langmuir model (R(2) > 0.983) fitted the data better than the Freundlich model (R (2) were 0.902-0.937). Column leaching experiments suggested that biochar can also increase the immobilization of Cd(II) under leaching conditions. Biochar mainly increased the weak/unstable binding force of Cd(II) by soil, such as ion exchange, electrostatic attraction, physical adsorption, and carbonate precipitation. In addition, a significant enhancement of surface complexation was also observed.

Tartaric acid modified Pleurotus ostreatus for enhanced removal of Cr(vi) ions from aqueous solution: characteristics and mechanisms

Pleurotus ostreatus was modified by tartaric acid and used as a biosorbent for the removal of Cr(vi) from aqueous solution.

A novel tetraethylenepentamine functionalized polymeric adsorbent for enhanced removal and selective recovery of heavy metal ions from saline solutions

A novel tetraethylenepentamine functionalized polymeric adsorbent with polymethacrylate–divinylbenzene as the substrate was facilely prepared for the enhanced removal and selective recovery of Cu(ii) and Ni(ii) from saline solutions.

Chitosan modification of magnetic biochar produced from Eichhornia crassipes for enhanced sorption of Cr(vi) from aqueous solution

In this research, chitosan modification of magnetic biochar (CMB) was successfully prepared for effective removal of Cr(vi).

Adsorption of hexavalent chromium by polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based activated carbon fibers from aqueous solution

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based activated carbon fibers (PAC400 and PAC600) were prepared by heating Zn(NO₃)₂ pretreated-PAN at 400 °C and 600 °C for the removal of Cr(vi) from aqueous solution.

Effect of porous zinc–biochar nanocomposites on Cr(vi) adsorption from aqueous solution

A new synthesis method was developed to produce zinc–biochar nanocomposites from sugarcane bagasse.