Porous biochar-nanoscale zero-valent iron composites: Synthesis, characterization and application for lead ion removal

Abstract

Nano-zero-valent iron has been used in combination with a variety of support carriers to remove heavy metals in solution. However, pre-treatment of the carrier can reflect a better synergistic effect and thus achieve high heavy metal removal capabilities. In this study, the hydrophilic biochar obtained by an acid ammonium persulfate oxidation has an adsorption capacity of up to 135.4 mg g−1 for Pb2+ (25 °C, pH = 6 with adsorbent amount of 10 mg and Pb2+ concentration of 50 mg L−1). Due to the strong Fe-C-O covalent bond, nZVI increases the binding force with the carbon matrix. Benefitting from the high specific surface area, porous structure and rich oxygen-containing functional groups, the resultant nZVI-HPB samples are favourable for Pb2+ diffusion and adsorption, exhibiting maximum adsorption capacity of 480.9 mg g−1 (pH = 6, 25 °C with adsorbent amount of 10 mg and Pb2+ concentration of 200 mg L−1). The multiple interaction mechanisms in the Pb2+ removal process such as the reduction reaction, complexation and co-precipitation proceed simultaneously are concluded by the analyses of Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra.