Synthesis of amino-functionalized magnetic aerobic granular sludge-biochar for Pb(II) removal: Adsorption performance and mechanism studies

Abstract

In the present study, a novel amino-functionalized magnetic aerobic granular sludge-biochar (NH2-M-AGS) was successfully fabricated through magnetization and functional modification and applied for Pb(II) sorption. The composite was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Zeta potential analysis, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of adsorbent dosage, pH value, contact time and initial metal concentration on the adsorption of Pb(II) were investigated by using batch equilibrium experiments. It was concluded that the pseudo-second-order model was better to describe adsorption kinetic of Pb(II) onto NH2-M-AGS. The Langmuir model was more accorded with the experimental data, and the maximum adsorption capacity of Pb(II) was 127.0 mg/g. A possible adsorption mechanism could be mainly caused by surface complexation, electrostatic attraction and precipitation. In five adsorption-desorption cycles, the desorption efficiency of Pb(II) exhibited a slight decline and still reached at 88.14%. Furthermore, the good reproducibility indicated that NH2-M-AGS could be used a desirable, economic and recyclable adsorbent in practical metal-contaminated wastewater treatment.