Abstract
Activated biochars were prepared from residues of medium density fiberboard (MDF) produced by the furniture industry. Biomass residue was pre-treated with FeCl3 in two different FeCl3:biomass ratios (0.5:1 and 1:1, w/w) aiming to produce a matrix embedded with iron oxide. The pyrolysis process produced maghemite on the biochar surface and its magnetic properties were confirmed by its attraction to a hand magnet and its magnetic susceptibility. Samples were also characterized using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), surface area by BET-N2, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Magnetic biochar exhibited up to twelve-fold higher surface area than the non-magnetic biochar, which varies according the maghemite particles content. Iron oxide on biochar surface also contributed for increasing CEC around ten-fold compared to non-magnetic biochars. Phosphorus adsorption isotherms showed that these magnetic biochars have high capacity to sorb oxyanions like phosphate, especially at lower pH. Thus, these magnetic biochars could be used to clean water bodies contaminated with oxyanions in acidic conditions.
Highlights
Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient that keeps plants and algae from growing in water bodies, being a limiting factor for eutrophication
It was confirmed by the readily attraction of 0.5FeBC and 1.0FeBC samples by a magnet, even after thoroughly washing the biochars; facilitating magnetic separation technique in aqueous solution and laying emphasis on magnetic biochar potential for further use
The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was done to evaluate the formation of functional groups that could act as an active center for adsorption
Summary
Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient that keeps plants and algae from growing in water bodies, being a limiting factor for eutrophication. The excess of P-containing fertilizers that are leached through the soil or carried as runoff is a major cause of water bodies eutrophication, together with residues from mineral deposits and anthropogenic sources such as municipal domestic and industrial wastewater (Xiang et al 2014). A concentration as low as 0.02 mg/L of phosphate would lead to uncontrolled growth of algae, resulting in oxygen depletion and production of toxins in water bodies, leading to fish death and degrading water quality for human and animal consumption (Li et al 2016). The most practical and highly adopted way of removing P from water bodies is through its sorption on a sorbent material (Xiang et al 2014).
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