Alpha-MnO2 nanoneedle embedded in MgO-chitosan biochar for higher removal of arsenic from groundwater: Co-effects of oxidation and adsorption

Abstract

High performance and high permeability of reactive materials are crucial issues for the remedy of arsenic (As)-enriched groundwater by permeable reactive barriers. The remediation strategy integrating adsorption and oxidation has gained wide concerns due to its deep removal for As(Ⅲ). In this study, a granular bifunctional nanocomposite MgO-Chitosan-MnO2 (MgO-CS-MnO2) was fabricated as permeable reactive media for the in-situ remediation for high As groundwater. The needle structure of MnO2 could provide adequate oxidation sites, furthermore, the multilayer porous characteristic of MgO-CS could also meet higher adsorption capacity. As a result, the estimated maximal adsorption capacity of MgO-CS-MnO2 for As(Ⅲ) reached to 266.61 mg/g and 578.05 mg/g for arsenate (As(Ⅴ)), which are much higher than current similar adsorbents. The adsorption behaviors of As(Ⅲ/Ⅴ) follow pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm model, suggesting that both As(Ⅲ) and As(Ⅴ) are mainly chemisorbed onto MgO-CS-MnO2. It could perform effectively in a broad range of pH values (3−11), moreover, competing oxyanions (CO32-, NO-, and SO42-), organic matters (humic acid) and ion strength exert no significant influence towards As remediation. XPS results revealed As(Ⅲ) adsorbed onto composite completely transformed to As(Ⅴ), and removal mechanisms involved oxidation and metal-O-As(Ⅲ/Ⅴ) complexation. In addition, it can be easily regenerated and recycled maintaining an excellent adsorption and oxidative ability. Besides, Column experiment demonstrated this composite column could effectively treat 1300 and 1700 bed volume (BV) of synthetic As(Ⅲ/Ⅴ)-contaminated groundwater, respectively. Therefore, MgO-CS-MnO2 have a great potential applicability towards high As groundwater improvement as permeable reactive media.