Synthesis, characterization, and lead (II) sorption performance of a new magnetic separable composite: MnFe2O4@wild plants-derived biochar

Abstract

In present study, the magnetic separable biochar nacomposite (MWPC) was synthesized by using the facile chemical coprecipitation method of wild plants-derived biochar (WPC) and manganese ferrite nanoparticles (MnFe2O4). Its crystal structure, surface morphology and elemental composition, textural structure, surface chemistry and magnetic performance were illuminated. The magnetic nanoparticles of spinel manganese ferrite were observed to significantly affect the surface area and pore structure of the WPC. Its saturation magnetization value was measured as 19.7 emu/g. In addition, the optimum sorption conditions of the lead selected as a model for testing metal sorption performance from water were determined by considering the effects of important process parameters such as solution pH, metal concentration, interaction time and temperature. The kinetic and isotherm sorption data were found to be well compatible with Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second order kinetic models, respectively. It was observed that the maximum Pb(II) sorption capacity of MWPC was approximately 2.6 times higher than that of WPC. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG°, ΔH°, ΔS° calculated to explain the nature of the interaction during the sorption showed that the process is endothermic and spontaneous. The findings show that MWPC has a high surface area and a wide porous sorbent that is effective in lead removal and can be magnetically separated without leaving a second pollution to the environment.