Adsorption and reductive degradation of Cr(VI) and TCE by a simply synthesized zero valent iron magnetic biochar

Yuyan Liu, Saran P. Sohi, Siyuan Liu, Junjie Guan, Jingyao Zhou, Jiawei Chen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

To address inorganic and organic contaminants in the environment, economic new adsorbents are required. Here we test magnetic biochar for efficient capture of the typical pollutants Cr(VI) and trichloroethylene (TCE) from solution. We used a simple synthesis using 2M FeCl 3 solution and peanut hull biomass to prepare magnetic ZVI biochar at alternate pyrolysis temperatures between 650 and 800 °C. The physicochemical character of the biochars were assessed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method for surface area. The magnetic ZVI biochars were highly effective in the removal of Cr(VI) and TCE. The most effective magnetic biochar produced at 800 °C was further examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing a high and even loading of ZVI. After sorption the same magnetic biochar was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to ascertain the underlying mechanisms. The dependence of Cr(VI) capture on solution pH was also examined. Our interpretation suggests that when pH < pH zpc (2.5) electrostatic attraction and redox reactions dominated the adsorption of Cr(VI). When pH > pH zpc the removal process was controlled mainly by redox reaction and substitution of chromate anions for hydroxyl (–OH) groups. Capture of TCE in contrast involved hydrophobic partitioning, pore-filling and reductive degradation. Overall our results suggest that simple synthesis of magnetic ZVI biochar could offer an economic and effective option to address water contamination issues.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)276-281
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Environmental Management
Volume235
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2019

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Cr(VI)
  • Magnetic ZVI biochar
  • TCE

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