Removal of lead by rice husk biochars produced at different temperatures and implications for their environmental utilizations

Abstract

Rice husk is a common agricultural waste. The utilization of rice husk biochar depends on the characteristics of biochar and its interaction mechanisms with heavy metals. In the present study, rice husk biochars at three different temperatures 300, 500, and 700 °C were produced (RH300, RH500, and RH700). The characteristics of these rice husk biochars and their interaction mechanisms with lead (Pb) were investigated, in order to reveal the potential environmental applications of the biochars. It was observed that the surface area (from 0.632 to 193.149 m2/g) and pH (from 7.13 to 9.80) of the rice husk biochars significantly increased as production temperature rose from 300 to 700 °C, while the number of functional groups (e.g., carboxyl) decreased. The Langmuir maximum removal capacity (Qmax) values for Pb are in the order of RH300 < RH500 < RH700 (14.1, 21.7, and 26.7 mg/g respectively). Although RH300 has the smallest Qmax value, its exchangeable Pb amount is the largest (2.61 versus 0.223–0.377 mg/g), suggesting RH300 may be suitable for water treatment due to the easy separation of immobilized Pb and better recycling usage. The Pb immobilized on RH500 and RH700 was mainly acidic soluble and generally stable. Hydrocerussite is one important form within the acidic soluble fraction. Within the generally stable formation, pyromorphite is a form for the immobilized Pb on the rice husk biochars, particularly for RH500 and RH700. These findings suggest RH500 and RH700 are of promising potential to be applied in soil remediation to immobilize Pb and reduce its environmental risks.