Metal Adsorption Capacity Research Articles

Chromium Isotope Fractionation During the Removal of Hexavalent Chromium by Oak-based Biochar

Chromium, especially in its hexavalent form (Cr(VI)), poses significant health risks due to its carcinogenic properties. Emerging research suggests that biochar, a carbon-rich material derived from biomass pyrolysis, holds promise as an effective and sustainable solution for Cr(VI) remediation. Biochar's unique physicochemical properties, such as its high surface area, porous structure, and functional groups, contribute to its exceptional adsorption capacity for metals. In a series of batch experiments with varying durations, an oak-based biochar was exposed to a 48 mg∙L⁻1 Cr(VI) solution. The results demonstrate that the biochar effectively removed 99% of the Cr(VI) after 100 hours, with a removal capacity greater than 5 mg∙g⁻1. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy suggests that the removal of Cr(VI) involved aliphatic and aromatic C-H bonds. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) also indicated the role of aliphatic groups in the removal process and suggested the involvement of carbonyl groups. XPS analysis also detected both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on the surface of the biochar, indicating the occurrence of reduction and sorption processes. The presence of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was further confirmed at the Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron facility using X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. Cr isotope analysis showed an increase in δ⁵³Cr as the concentration of Cr in solution decreased, indicating Cr(VI) reduction. The isotope data followed a Rayleigh curve with a kinetic fractionation ε53Cr of -1.33 ‰, highlighting that Cr stable isotopes can effectively be used as an indicator of biochar-Cr reactions.

Effects of particle size and aging on heavy metal adsorption by polypropylene and polystyrene microplastics under varying environmental conditions

Microplastics have become a major environmental issue because of their widespread presence and tendency to adsorb heavy metals, which can have harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. The present study investigates the adsorption mechanisms of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions on both pristine and artificially aged microplastics (MPs) made of polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP). Furthermore, the influence of MP size on the adsorption capacity under different environmental conditions was evaluated. According to the characterization of MPs, aging leads to physical damage and an increase in the number of oxygen-containing functional groups on their surface. The experimental results highlight the significantly higher adsorption ability of smaller and aged MPs compared with that of pristine MPs for both the heavy metal ions. The pseudo-second-order equation provided a better fit for the adsorption kinetics study (R2 = 0.95), suggesting that chemisorption governs the rate-limiting phase in the adsorption mechanism on the MP surfaces. The concordance between the adsorption isotherm model and Freundlich model (R2 > 0.95) indicated a predominance of multilayer adsorption. The environmental factors such as pH, humic acid, temperature, and SO42- concentration significantly affected the adsorption of Pb2⁺ and Cu2⁺ onto PP and PS MPs. These variables play a crucial role in determining the nature of the interactions between heavy metal ions and the microplastic particles under diverse environmental conditions. Electrostatic interactions, surface complexation and van der Waals forces were identified as two factors that could either improve or diminish the metal ion adsorption capacity of MPs.

Potential engineering applications of volcanic scoria from Mount Cameroon area, Central Africa: evidence from petrography and geochemistry

This study was initiated to explore the suitability of volcanic scoria from Mount Cameroon along the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) in engineering applications. The mineral composition has been obtained through thin sections observation and XRD method. The XRF analytical methods have been used to determine major element composition. The studied rocks are dark gray to reddish in color with a vacuolar structure and porphyritic microlithic texture recalling the Strombolian dynamism. They are mainly made up of pyroxene, olivine, plagioclase, opaque minerals, quartz, magnetite and iddingsite. The presence of phenocrysts of olivine and clinopyroxene is due to mantle contamination. The main chemical components of scoria of Mount Cameroon are silica, alumina, iron and calcium oxides. The abundant vitreous phases are responsible for the acidic character revealed by high SiO2 + Al2O3 contents. Fe2O3, MnO and MgO are hosted by ferromagnesian minerals while SiO2, Al2O3, K2O, NaO and P2O5 are found in acidic vitreous phases. The mineral and chemical composition of the scoria of Mount Cameroun is similar to those of scoria previously studied around the world. They can be used as absorbents for metals because of their high adsorption capacity and affinity for metals. The high SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3 contents and low LOI values show that the scoria from Mount Cameroon are suitable to the use in cement and concretes. They can improve the resistance to sulfate, and chlorite and alkali silica reaction. According to the chemical composition, the rocks are conforming to French standard NFP18310. Their high CaO contents are favorable to improve the quality of scoria blended cements.

The Effect of Different Aging Methods on the Heavy Metal Adsorption Capacity of Microplastics

The Effect of Different Aging Methods on the Heavy Metal Adsorption Capacity of Microplastics

Adsorption removal of copper(II) from water by zero valent iron loaded dendritic mesoporous silica

The object of research is synthesized dendritic mesoporous nanoscale silica (DMSN) modified with zero-valent iron (Fe0@DMSN). This material exhibits a high adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions, in particular copper, whose increased content in the aquatic environment poses a threat to living organisms. In this regard, the main physicochemical features of the removal of copper cations from the aqueous medium using the obtained sample were investigated. The morphology of the obtained dendritic silicas was studied by electron microscopy and the presence of a layer of zero-valent iron was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The parameters of the porous structure of the synthesized materials were determined. It was found that after modification of mesoporous silica with particles of zero-valent iron, the value of its specific surface area decreased from 504 m2/g to 312 m2/g. This may be due to the formation of a Fe0 layer not only on their surface but also in the channels of the inorganic matrix, which has a unique dendritic structure characteristic of this type of particles. At the same time, the number of active centers increases due to the enrichment of the silica surface with functional modifier groups that show a high affinity for metal cations. The adsorption capacity of Fe0@DMSN towards Cu2+ ions has been studied and it has been shown that the maximum adsorption value is 39.8 mg/g, which is significantly higher than that of the initial synthesized DMSN sample (0.7 mg/g). The experimental data obtained indicate that the obtained sorption material based on dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles with a layer of reactive zero-valent iron can be used for the purification of water contaminated with metal ions. In addition, the magnetic properties of such materials, known and proven by various scientists, will make it easy to separate the solid phase in the processes of sorption water purification using magnetic separation.

Structural Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Exopolysaccharide Produced from Beet Waste Residue by Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides.

Lactic acid bacteria exopolysaccharide (EPS) is a large molecular polymer produced during the growth and metabolism of lactic acid bacteria. EPS has multiple biological functions and is widely used in fields such as food and medicine. However, the low yield and high production cost of EPS derived from lactic acid bacteria limit its widespread application. In this study, we used beet waste residue as a substrate to produce EPS by fermentation with Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides to improve the utilization rate of agricultural waste and reduce the production cost of lactic acid bacterial EPS. After purification, the molecular weight (Mw) of EPS was determined to be 417 kDa using high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed that the EPS was composed of glucose subunits with α-1,6 glycosidic linkages. The thermal analysis and heavy metal adsorption capacity revealed a relatively high degradation temperature of 315.54 °C and that the material could effectively adsorb Cu2+. Additionally, the findings indicated that the EPS exhibited a significant ability to neutralize free radicals, a property that was found to be concentration dependent. Furthermore, the results of the intracellular study showed the protective effect of freshly isolated EPS on tBHP-induced cellular oxidative stress at a concentration of 50 µg/mL. These results suggest that the EPS from L. pseudomesenteroides may be developed as antioxidant agents for functional food products and pharmaceutical applications due to its capacity to scavenge free radicals.

Surface water removal of Aluminum(III), Iron(III) and Manganese(II) using sustainable natural serpentinite mining tailings, proof of concept

To remediate surface water as the Doce River and spring waters from Minas Gerais, Brazil, this study examined the possibility of natural serpentinite mining tailings as a sustainable alternative for removing aluminum (III), iron (III), and manganese (II). The study used a Box-Behnken experimental design to examine how initial metal concentration, adsorbate dosage, and adsorption time affect metal removal effectiveness. Results demonstrated impressive performance, with removal rates exceeding 80 % for Al(III) and Fe(III) within the initial 5 min, and 60 % for Mn(II) within 30 min. This study delves deeper into the removal mechanisms, kinetics, adsorption isotherms and characterization identify physisorption and chemisorption pathways in which complex formation with released OH− groups and ion exchange with Mg(II) from serpentinite emerged as key contributors to the removal process. Furthermore, ion metal adsorption and regeneration cycles were assessed, exhibit sustained removal efficacy without notable capacity reduction. Each cycle shows an average metal adsorption capacity of 0.32 mg g−1 and an average Mg(II) release capacity of 0.98 mg g−1. Remarkably, the application of serpentinite successfully lowered the metals content of the Doce River and spring water to drinkable standards. A batch and continuous process is proposed for scaling-up serpentinite's metal adsorption. Overall, this study shows serpentinite's potential as a foundation for sustainable and cost-effective methods to treat surface water contamination with Al(III), Fe(III), and Mn(II).

Comparative study of silica-based porous materials in the purification of radioactive wastewater

A significant challenge in the treatment of low-level radioactive wastewater is the effective purification of low-concentration radionuclides. Silica-based adsorbents are advantageous for the deep-purification of low-concentration metal ions. This study investigates three primary types of silica-based adsorbents: functionalized mesoporous silica, various modified zeolites, and mesoporous calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H). These adsorbents were synthesized and their deep-purification effects on heavy metals and radionuclides were compared. The results indicated that mesoporous silica showed relatively poor adsorption for most metal ions. Zeolites outperformed mesoporous silica, with Zn framework-modified zeolites showing enhanced adsorption for several metal ions. Notably, C-S-H displayed superior adsorption performance, achieving high adsorption capacities for various metal ions and radionuclides. Specifically, at a dose of 0.5 g/L, the adsorption efficiency of C-S-H for numerous radionuclides in nuclear power plant wastewater exceeded 92–99 %, highlighting its potential for practical applications. An in-depth analysis of the physical and chemical structure and the adsorption mechanisms of C-S-H revealed its large mesoporous structure and electrostatic attraction to cations across a wide pH range. Multivalent cations were removed through exchange with Ca2+ in C-S-H, whereas monovalent cations were removed through exchange with Na+ in C-S-H. The cyclic structure of silica-oxygen tetrahedra in C-S-H, which promotes large pore formation and provides abundant ion exchange sites, underpins its excellent adsorption properties. This study offers valuable insights for the selection and application of silica-based materials in radioactive wastewater treatment.

Manganese-modified biochar for sediment remediation: Effect, microbial community response, and mechanism

Heavy metal sediment pollution has become an increasingly serious problem associated with industrial development, so extensive studies have been conducted concerning their removal. Biochar has recently shown good potential for in-situ remediation of heavy metal-contaminated sediments. The heavy metal adsorption capacity of inexpensive biochar can be improved by loading it with metal oxides. In this study, manganese-modified biochar (MBC) was prepared by KMnO4-modified waste-activated sludge biochar and applied to immobilize Pb and Cd in sediments. Its effects on the sediment microbial community were also investigated. The Results showed that manganese modification of the biochar made it more conducive to the adsorption of heavy metals, owing to its higher specific surface area and graphitization structure, more active sites and oxygen-containing groups, and the presence of Mn2O3 crystal structure on the surface. The maximum adsorption capacities of this material for Pb2+ and Cd2+ in solution were 176.9 mg/g and 44.0 mg/g, respectively. The application of MBC to the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated sediments transformed Pb and Cd in the sediments from exchangeable to residual state. The F4 content of Pb in the sediments increased from 40.52%-42.36% to 49.11%–51.14% after application of 1% MBC, and to 63.94%–64.49% after application of 5% MBC. Correspondingly, the F1 content of Pb in the sediments decreased from 29.09%-30.68% to 17.43%–17.69% after the application of 5% MBC. Furthermore, MBC efficiently enriched the microbial biodiversity and affected the microbial population structure within 60 days. The relative abundance of uncultured f Symbiobacteraceae and Fonticella communities significantly increased after incubation. The results may provide empirical support for the combination of metal oxides and biochar for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated sediments.

Amidoximated Bacterial Cellulose Film for Pb2+ Adsorption in Aqueous Environment

Abstract This study investigated the application of amidoximated bacterial cellulose (AMO-BC) film for lead (Pb) adsorption from aqueous solutions. In our previous study, bacterial cellulose has been successfully modified through amidoximation to enhance its metal adsorption capacity. In order to modify the bacterial cellulose (BC) film, acrylonitrile was grafted onto it initiated by an electron beam to create BC-grafted-polyacrylonitrile (BC-g-PAN). After that, amidoximated bacterial cellulose (AMO-BC) was generated when BC-g-PAN reacted with hydroxylamine hydrochloride to add amidoxime functional groups to the cellulose backbone. Then, AMO-BC before and after lead adsorption was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The adsorption capacity of AMO-BC for lead ions was evaluated through batch adsorption experiments with the initial lead concentration of 200 mgL−1 and an adsorbent dose of 20 mg, on pH 6 for two hours of the adsorption process. The results showed that AMO-BC exhibited higher lead adsorption capacity than pristine bacterial cellulose i.e., 44.56 and 50.96 mg/gram for BC and AMO-BC films, respectively.

Cost-Effective Synthesis of MXene Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) for Heavy Metal Removal.

Background Environmental contamination resulting from the release of untreated industrial wastewater has emerged as a critical worldwide issue. These effluents frequently have high levels of heavy metals and antibiotics, which are bad for aquatic ecosystems and human health. Oftentimes, conventional wastewater treatment techniques fall short of effectively eliminating these pollutants. Innovative materials that may efficiently absorb or break down contaminants from contaminated water sources are, therefore, desperately needed. Hydrothermally produced MXene cadmium sulfide (CdS) composites have shown great promise as an adsorbent material because of their special qualities, which include high surface area, chemical stability, and customizable surface functions that improve their adsorption capacity for heavy metals and antibiotics alike. Aim The aim of this study is to produce MXene-CdS nanoparticles in a cost-effective method for the simultaneous removal of heavy metals from aqueous contaminants for water pollution control. Methods and materials MXenes were synthesized by selectively etching Ti3AlC2 MAX-phase ceramics using aqueous HF. CdS nanoparticles were synthesized separately and integrated with MXenes via a hydrothermal process. The resulting MXene CdS nanocomposites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for morphology, energy dispersion spectrum (EDS) for elemental composition, X-ray diffraction(XRD) study for phase identification, and removal of heavy metals viaMXene CdS. Results Consistent distribution of CdS nanoparticles on the MXene surface and the creation of MXene CdS nanomembranes with a well-defined shape were observed by SEM analysis. Ti, C, Cd, and S elements, indiciaries of a successful composite formation, were confirmed to be present by EDS. The crystalline structure of both the MXene and CdS phases was confirmed by the distinctive peaks seen in the XRD patterns. MXene-CdS composites facilitate the effective removal of chromium ions from contaminated water. The excellent hydrophilicity of the produced nanomembrane allowed for effective interaction with watery contaminants. Conclusion This study showcases the successful synthesis and characterization of MXene-CdS nanocomposites for environmental remediation, particularly in removing toxic metals like chromium from industrial effluents. SEM analysis confirmed the uniform distribution of CdS nanoparticles on the MXene surface, while elemental composition validated their integration. XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline structures of both components. The nanocomposite exhibited excellent hydrophilicity, enhancing the efficient adsorption of heavy metals. Its large surface area and chemical stability contribute to high adsorption efficiency, making it ideal for wastewater treatment. The scalable synthesis process supports practical applications. This research highlights MXene-CdS nanocomposites as a cost-effective, sustainable solution for water pollution control.

Optimization of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) production by Stenotrophomonas rhizophila JC1 and its protective effect on alfalfa under Pb2+ stress

Stenotrophomonas rhizophila JC1 and its extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) have been shown to effectively adsorb heavy metals in previous studies. The fermentation conditions of EPS by S. rhizophila JC1 were optimized using the Box-Behnken design (BBD). The composition, structural characteristics, and heavy metal adsorption capacity of EPS were systematically evaluated. The alleviation mechanism of Pb2+ stress on alfalfa was investigated through EPS inoculation. The maximum EPS yield reached 0.313 %. EPS consisted of glucose, glucosamine, galactose, and mannose in a molar ratio of 12.20:1:22.29:1.68. EPS also contained four distinct polymers with molecular weights of 623,683.71 Da, 144,072.27 Da, 105,892.21 Da, and 51,094.79 Da. The adsorption processes conformed to the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm model. High Pb2+ concentrations significantly reduced germination percentage, germinative force, root length, fresh weight, and soluble protein, inhibited photosynthesis, exacerbated oxidative stress, and caused damage to the antioxidant system, thereby inhibiting seedling growth. EPS at low concentrations can promote alfalfa seed germination and mitigate Pb2+ stress by reducing the aforementioned damage. This study highlights the potential of EPS in soil remediation and enhancing plant resistance to heavy metal stress.

Multifunctional HxMoO3-y-MoO2/Carbon Composite Particles for Water Remediation.

Solving a scarcity of freshwater resources is an urgent global challenge by a safe and sustainable approach using renewable energy. We demonstrate the multifunctional catalyst of HxMoO3-y-MoO2/carbon composite particles toward highly efficient water remediation. A one-step mechanochemical reaction successfully upgraded the composites from commercially available MoO3-polypropylene (PP) powders without introducing hydrogen gas. The composite particles exhibited broad light absorption in the UV-visible (Vis)-near-infrared (NIR) region (200-2000 nm), with an optical band-gap narrowing to 1.03 eV. The plasmonic properties of HxMoO3-y-MoO2 allowed a fast water evaporation rate (3.29 kg m-2 h-1) with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 88.8%. In addition, the HxMoO3-y-MoO2 heterojunction dominated wide-spectrum activity under Vis and NIR light irradiation, up to 3 orders of magnitude higher than pristine MoO3 in the photocatalytic degradation of azo-dye pollutants. Furthermore, the byproduct carbon with abundant oxygen-containing groups efficiently eliminated water pollutants as a Brønsted acid catalyst and performed exceptional adsorption capacities of heavy metal ions in the dark.

Conversion of acidified lignin containing sulfur discharged from a biorefinery process into neutralized biochar: Characterization and metal adsorption

The objectives of this study were to produce biochars using sulfur-rich acidified lignin discharged from a biorefinery process and to evaluate their physicochemical properties and Pb adsorption capacity. As the pyrolysis temperature increased, the lignin acidified by the desulfurization process was converted to neutralized biochar (LBC), which exhibited high carbon content and stability. The carbon content of biochar manufactured at a pyrolysis temperature of 600 °C or higher was over 90 % and showed no significant difference, and their surface structures were found to be different, as revealed through XRD and FTIR analyses. The adsorption capacity of Pb by LBC increased with increasing pyrolysis temperature, and their adsorption capacity was well described by the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model. In particular, the internal diffusion effect on the adsorption capacity of Pb was greater for LBC900 than for LBC600. In complex heavy metal solutions, LBC selectively exhibited high affinity for Pb, while the adsorption capacity of other metals was significantly reduced. The adsorption mechanism of Pb by LBC was verified through various analytical methods, and these results demonstrated that the adsorption of Pb by LBC was influenced by functional groups existing on the surface and inside of LBC and by some cation exchange.

Adsorption characteristics and mechanisms of individual and a quinary mixture of heavy metal ions on novel CoFe2O4-BiFeO3 nanosorbents in water

Application of CoFe2O4-BiFeO3 nanocomposites (CFO-BFO NCs) in highly adsorptive removal of heavy metal ions (Pb(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II)) by individual and simultanoeous adsorption were investigated for the first time in the present study. The characterization of CFO-BFO NCs were analyzed by using XRD, VSM, SEM, TEM and BET techniques. The CFO-BFO NCs powder consists of characteristic peaks of BFO and CFO without any trace of other crystalline phases; they were uniformly dispersed with a size of about 3–5 nm, much smaller than single – phase CFO (10–25 nm) and BFO (5–10 µm) with the surface area of 84.93 m2/g; remanence and coercivity were 14.33 emu/g, 1.99 emu/g and 195 Oe, respectively, significantly decreased compared to CFO but significantly increased compared to BFO. The single or simultaneous adsorption of a quinary mixture of Pb(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) on CFO-BFO NCs followed the Freundlich isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Adsorption capacity of single heavy metal ions were in the order Pb(II) > Co(II) > Cu(II) > Cd(II) > Zn(II) while the simultaneous adsorption was in the order Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Co(II) > Zn(II) > Cd(II). The maximum adsorption capacities (qmax) of each ion in the case of simultaneous adsorption were smaller than that for cases of the single adsorption but the total qmax of ions mixture was much higher than the highest qmax of single adsorption. The simultaneous adsorption of heavy metal ions is the competition, the best selectivity is Pb(II) and the strongest competition is Cd(II), the adsorption ability reduces as the charge and radius of interfering cation increase and the ionic strength increases. The regeneration and reuse ability were good, while the adsorption efficiency slightly decreased over three recycles. The adsorption increased slightly as temperature increased. The adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. Adsorption of heavy metal ions on CFO-BFO NCs consists of both electrostatic and chemisorption. The applicability for real sample is good. Our results demonstrate that the CFO-BFO NCs is a prospective adsorbent to remove Pb(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous environment.

Enhanced peroxidase-like activity based on electron transfer between platinum nanoparticles and Ti3C2TX MXene nanoribbons coupled smartphone-assisted hydrogel platform for detecting mercury ions

BackgroundHeavy metal pollution poses a serious threat to the ecological environment. Mercury ion (Hg2+) is a class of highly toxic heavy metal ions, which is bioaccumulative, difficult to breakdown, and has a significant affinity with sulfur and thiol-containing proteins, which seriously affects environmental safety and human health. Nanozyme-based sensing methods are expected to be used to detect toxic heavy metal ions. However, the application of precious metal nanozymes to develop portable sensors with simplicity, high stability, and high sensitivity has not been explored to a large extent. ResultsIn this paper, based on MXene's unique adsorption capacity for certain precious metal ions, PtNPs/Ti3C2TXNR composites were successfully prepared by in-situ growth of Pt nanoparticles (PtNPs) on the surface of Ti3C2TX MXene nanoribbons (Ti3C2TXNR) using the hydrothermal technique. Experimental data revealed PtNPs/Ti3C2TXNR exhibited superior peroxidase-like activity, attributed to the synergistic effect of well-dispersed ultrasmall PtNPs and electron transfer effect. Hg2+ can significantly inhibit enzyme-like activity of PtNPs/Ti3C2TXNR due to specific capture and partial in-situ reduction of PtNPs, so a colorimetric sensor was constructed for ultra-trace detection of Hg2+ with a linear range of 0.2 nM and 400 nM. Furthermore, using the portable detecting capabilities of smartphones and hydrogel, a smartphone-assisted hydrogel sensing platform of Hg2+ was constructed. Notably, the two-mode sensing platforms exhibited outstanding detection performance with LOD values as low as 15 pM (colorimetric) and 26 pM (hydrogel), respectively, superior to recently reported nanozyme-based Hg2+ sensors. SignificanceCompared with other methods, the PtNPs/Ti3C2TXNR-based dual-mode sensor designed in this paper has superior sensitivity, high selectivity, simple operation and portability. In particular, the dual-output sensing strategy enables self-confirmation of detection results, greatly improving the reliability of the sensor, and is expected to be used for the on-site determination of trace mercury ions.

Insight into biochar as sustainable biomass: Production methods, characteristics, and environmental remediation

Industrialization has contributed significantly to the advancement and sustenance of human civilization. However, it has also posed serious challenges to environmental sustainability, notably through heavy metal pollution, which has severely impacted ecological systems. Recent studies have explored the use of biochar for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. This review underscores the diverse physicochemical and structural characteristics of biochar, derived from various biomass sources through different pyrolysis processes, and their varying adsorption efficiencies. The review aims to investigate current biochar production technologies, their unique properties, and their maximum removal efficiency and adsorption capacity for heavy metals. The primary adsorption mechanisms, adsorption isotherms, and kinetic models have been identified. Furthermore, the study confirms that optimal conditions—such as the choice of precursors, pyrolysis temperature, and an understanding of the advantages and limitations—are crucial for designing biochar with superior structural and physicochemical properties. This review provides an updated overview of biochar-based heavy metal treatment in aquatic systems, highlighting existing research gaps and suggesting future research directions.

Synthesis and characterization of chitosan Schiff base grafted with formaldehyde and aminoethanol: As an effective adsorbent for removal of Pb(II), Hg(II), and Cu(II) ions from aqueous media

Grafted chitosan materials show the characteristics of high stability, easy separation and recovery, and good heavy metal adsorption capacity, and have received much attention in the adsorption process. Therefore, in this work, novel grafted chitosan-based adsorbent CS-EHBSB@F-AE was prepared by a one-pot reaction of chitosan (CS), 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (EHB), formaldehyde (F) and aminoethanol (F). The microstructure and morphology of the as-prepared composite CS-EHBSB@F-AE were characterized by FT-IR, TGA, DSC, FE-SEM, and BET analyses. The adsorption performance of the as-prepared CS-EHBSB@F-AE composite on Pb(II), Hg(II), and Cu(II) ions from aqueous was investigated using batch experiment and the effects of the initial pH of the solution, contact time, and initial metal ions concentration and temperature on the adsorption efficiency were investigated and discussed. At the best conditions, CS-EHBSB@F-AE exhibited remarkable adsorption capacity of 246.7 mg/g, 203.9 mg/g, and 234.4 mg/g in absorbing Pb(II), Hg(II), and Cu(II), respectively. The adsorption equilibrium and the kinetic studies confirmed that the ions adsorption process fits well with the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order (PSO) models. Additionally, the adsorption efficiency of Pb(II), Hg(II), and Cu(II) metal ions by the composite CS-EHBSB@F-AE was reduced by increasing the temperature from 298 K to 318 K. In addition, after the sixth ads/des cycles, the as-prepared adsorbent still exhibited high removal efficiency with a decrease in adsorption efficiency of Pb(II) (5.53 %), Hg(II) (15.43 %) and Cu(II) (8.27 %). Finally, we proposed that the ions adsorption by CS-EHBSB@F-AE has happened using the coordination of active groups containing nitrogen and oxygen atoms on the surface of the adsorbent with the Pb(II), Hg(II), and Cu(II) metal ions.

Simultaneous biosorption of chromium and zinc from aqueous solution by Lactobacillus plantarum exopolysaccharides and biofilm characterized by structural and functional analysis

AbstractHeavy metals represent significant environmental pollutants in today's world. The primary sources of human exposure to these heavy metals are through food and water, which can lead to various life‐threatening diseases. Therefore, it is imperative to focus on the removal of these contaminants to safeguard human health. The study describes the optimization of biosorption conditions of chromium [Cr(III)] and zinc [Zn(II)] through biofilm and exopolysaacharides (EPS) of Lactobacillus plantarum. The strain was tested for minimum inhibitory concentration and assessed at 100–350 ppm for Cr (III) and Zn (II) in terms of log cfu/mL. Metal adsorption capacity of biofilm was slightly higher as compared to EPS. Biosorption of Cr (III) at pH 2 showed 90% biosorption through biofilms and 88% through EPS. Zn (II) showed maximum binding of about 86% and 78% by biofilm and EPS, respectively, at pH 8 at 37°C for 24 h. The binding of metal is mostly dependent upon the functional group present, the surface morphology of biofilm, and the EPS of strain.

Remediation of Arsenic and Heavy Metals and Soil Stabilization by Waste Chitosan based Biochar

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of converting waste chitosan adsorbents, laden with microalgae, into biochar for application as a stabilizing agent to remediate heavy metal-contaminated soil and improve soil quality.Methods : Waste chitosan adsorbents were converted into biochar through two processes: dry thermal carbonization at 400°C to produce pyrochar and hydrothermal carbonization at 200°C to produce hydrochar. The elemental compositions, surface functional groups, morphologies of the biochars were evaluated by elemental analyzer, FT-IR spectrometer, and SEM analysis. The arsenic and heavy metal adsorption characteristics of the produced biochars were assessed. Additionally, the produced biochars were applied as stabilizing agents to arsenic and heavy metal-contaminated soil with varying mixing ratios of 2, 5 and 10 wt%. After a one-week soil stabilization experiment, soil properties and TCLP(Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) leaching tests were conducted.Results and Discussion : The pyrochar produced from waste chitosan exhibited a porous structure with high pH (pH 10) and minimal surface functional groups. The hydrochar consisted of spherical particles with functional groups such as hydroxyl and amine groups on the surface, exhibiting a slightly acidic pH of 5.8. Pyrochar has a higher adsorption capacity for cationic heavy metals compared to hydrochar due to its porous structure and high pH. On the other hand, when applied to soil, hydrochar demonstrated superior stabilization efficiency for arsenic and heavy metals. This is attributed to the diverse surface functional groups containing oxygen on the hydrochar. The stabilization efficiency was influenced by the biochar mixing ratio, with a 5% hydrochar application resulting in 10-64% stabilization efficiency for all elements.Conclusion : This study confirmed that biochar produced from waste chitosan effectively stabilizes arsenic and heavy metals in soils. Additionally, the quantity of biochar used can impact its effectiveness in stabilization.