Abstract

ABSTRACT The thermally modified Parthenium biochar was used as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Cd from water. Parthenium biochar (PBC) prepared at 500°C was thermally activated by re-heating it at 700°C. PBC and thermally modified biochar (TMPBC) was characterised by FTIR, SEM-EDS, BET-surface area and XRD. The surface area of TMPBC (3.44 m2g−1) was higher than PBC (1.89 m2g−1). The optimum conditions for Cd adsorption was found to be pH, 5.0; biochar dose, 2.5 (g L−1); time, 30 min; temperature 25°C; initial Cd concentration, 100 mg L−1. Cadmium removal parameters were assessed using kinetic (pseudo first and second order) and adsorption models (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson). Cd removal followed pseudo second order kinetic model. The Cd removal capacity of TMPBC (129.2 mg g−1) was significantly higher than PBC (59.3 mg g−1). Cd removal by TMPBC (97–99%) was also demonstrated for a surface and underground waters. FTIR, XRD and SEM-EDS analysis confirmed the ion exchange and otavite precipitation mechanisms of Cd removal by biochar. The thermal modification technique could be an alternative for commercially available activated carbons; however this needs to be explored with different biomasses and other elements.

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