Synthesis, characterization and application of surface-modified biochar synthesized from rice husk, an agro-industrial waste for the removal of hexavalent chromium from drinking water at near-neutral pH

Abstract

This study reports the synthesis, characterization and applicability of surface-modified biochar, an eco-friendly and economic adsorbent for the removal of highly toxic hexavalent chromium from drinking water at a pH suitable for drinking water. The acid modification of the pristine biochar prepared by the pyrolysis of rice husk substantially enhanced the carbon content percentage by 25.29% and active sites by 10 times in the acid-modified biochar and produced a BET surface area of 142.78 ± 2.57 m2 g−1. Furthermore, the alteration of the surface of pristine biochar resulted in the substantial increase in C=C, C=O, C–O, phenolic and alcoholic –OH bonds on the surface of the biochar which further facilitated the adsorption of Cr. The batch adsorption study was carried out to comprehend the process of adsorption. The Freundlich isotherm model has been found to be describing the adsorption process most precisely. The maximum adsorption capacity has been found to be 4109 μg g−1 at 30 °C and 4536 μg g−1 at 50 °C from the analysis of approximate adsorption site energy distribution function. The analysis of approximate adsorption site energy distribution function further showed the availability of more energetic sites to the adsorbate Cr(VI) oxyanions at higher temperatures. Further, the endothermic nature of the adsorption apart from the experimental outcomes has been evinced from the D–R isotherm model and from the values of ∆G° and ∆H°. The negative values of ∆G° at all the experimental temperatures indicate the spontaneity of the adsorption process. Furthermore, the values of ∆G° more than − 20 kJ mole−1 indicate the physisorption of Cr(VI) oxyanions on the adsorbent surface.