Abstract
Biochar is an eco-friendly, renewable, and cost-effective material that can be used as an adsorbent for the remediation of contaminated environments. In this paper, two types of biochar were prepared through corn straw and poplar leaf pyrolysis at 300 °C and 700 °C (C300, C700, P300, P700). Brunaer–Emmett–Teller N2 surface area, scanning electron microscope, elemental analysis, and infrared spectra were used to characterize their structures. These biochars were then used as adsorbents for the adsorption of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA). The microscopic adsorption mechanisms were studied by using infrared spectra, 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, and electron spin resonance spectra. The surface area and pore volume of C700 (375.89 m2/g and 0.2302 cm3/g) were the highest among all samples. Elemental analysis results showed that corn straw biochars had a higher aromaticity and carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio than the poplar leaf biochars. High temperature caused the increase of carbon content and the decrease of oxygen content, which also gave the biochars a higher adsorption rate. Pseudo-second order kinetic provided a better fit with the experimental data. Adsorption isotherm experiments showed that the adsorption isotherm of C300 fit the linear model. For other biochars, the adsorption isotherms fitted Langmuir model. Biochars with high temperatures exhibited enhanced adsorption capacity compared with ones at low temperatures. The qmax values of biochars to DBSA followed the order of P700 > C700 > P300. The adsorption mechanisms were complex, including partition, anion exchange, the formation of H bonds, covalent bonds, and charge transfer. The adsorption by covalent bonding might be the key mechanism determining the adsorption capacity of P700.
Highlights
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) are popularly used in detergents and cleaning products.They can cause environmental hazards after entering into surface waters by household and industrial sewage [1]
Westall et al had studied the sorption of LAS on the sediment materials, and the results showed that Freundlich and virial equations fitted the isotherms well [1]
The objective of the study was to obtain a deeper investigation of the influence of the pyrolysis temperature and biomass feedstocks on the physicochemical properties of biochars, and the adsorption behaviors of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) on different types of biochars
Summary
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) are popularly used in detergents and cleaning products. They can cause environmental hazards after entering into surface waters by household and industrial sewage [1]. Some techniques have been applied for the removal of surfactants from water or soils. Adsorption is a superior method for water treatment or soil remediation due to its low cost, easy operation, and high efficiency. Clays, activated carbon, and polymers can be used as the adsorbents for the adsorption of surfactants [2], but the sorption capacity of sodium dodecyl sulfate on Fluvisol soil was very low [3].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
