One-step synthesis of ZnFe2O4-loaded biochar derived from leftover rice for high-performance H2S removal

Abstract

• The RZF was synthesized via one-step carbonation activation of kitchen leftover rice. • ZnCl 2 and FeCl 3 were employed as both activator and precursor for preparing RZF. • The as-obtained RZF delivered outstanding desulfurization capacity and regeneration ability. • The postulated mechanisms of H 2 S removal on the RZF was proposed and verified. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is a major air pollutant posing a serious threat to the environment and public health. It is highly attractive to develop state-of-the-art adsorbent to remove H 2 S. Herein, a novel ZnFe 2 O 4 -loaded porous biochar (RZF) with a high surface area of 1065 m 2 /g was synthesized via one-step carbonation activation of kitchen leftover rice with ZnCl 2 and FeCl 3 as activators. The optimized RZF-500-1:1 was obtained by rationally adjusting the activation ratio (the mass ratio of leftover rice and ZnFe 2 O 4 ) and pyrolysis temperature. Such RZF-500-1:1 delivered high-performance H 2 S removal with the breakthrough capacity up to 228.29 mg/g at 25 °C, whilst the inactivated biochar (carbonization without activator) only showed a much lower adsorption capacity at circa 12.11 mg/g of H 2 S. The desulfurization conditions had a significant effect on the H 2 S breakthrough capacity, and the adsorbent exhibited better desulfurization performance at room temperature and in the presence of oxygen. The desulfurization mechanism on the ZnFe 2 O 4 -loaded biochar was proposed to be an adsorption-catalytic oxidation coupled process. Moreover, the as-fabricated sample showed high regeneration ability, retaining 91.6% of the initial breakthrough capacity after five regeneration cycles. This novel one-step preparation method would permit a gain of time and energy to obtain efficient activated carbons intended to capture H 2 S.