Characterization Of Biochar Research Articles

Characterization of biochars of different origin and application to the anaerobic digestion of source-selected organic fraction of municipal solid waste under batch conditions and at different dosages

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a wide-spread strategy to manage organic waste and recover valuable products but faces some limitations that could be overcome with additives like biochar (BC). The production of BC defines its properties, which in turn determine its effect on AD performance and methane yield. In this study, three biochars (BC1, BC2 and BC3) were characterized using several techniques (SEM imaging, BET, GC, ICP and FTIR). The properties of BC were found to be defined both by the feedstock and the production process. The BC were then applied to the AD of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) using three doses (1, 5% and 10% w/w TS). Compared to the control, there was an increase in methane production in BC3 at doses 1% and 5% (+15 and +30%, respectively) and a decrease in BC1 and BC2 at 1% (−33% and −19%, respectively). The decrease in biogas production was often paired with an increased methane content. A two-way ANOVA analysis showed that the interaction of biochar dose and type had a significant effect on methane yield, meaning that the effect of BC on AD cannot be predicted with the dose or the type alone. When a second substrate feeding was performed, no significant differences on methane production were observed among the experimental conditions. Key aspects to properly assess the economic viability of the process have been also discussed. Further experiments could help to fill knowledge gaps and clarify the roles of BC characteristics and dose on AD performance.

Synthesis of biochar-ZnAl-layered double hydroxide composite for effective heavy metal adsorption: Exploring mechanisms and structural transformations

Rapid industrialization has increased the extent of heavy metal contamination in water sources, demanding effective wastewater treatment methods. To mitigate this issue, adsorption techniques play a crucial role in wastewater treatment. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are commonly employed in such processes; however, they exhibit limitations in effectively adsorbing contaminants. Here, biochar (BC) was incorporated into LDHs using a simple hydrothermal method and subsequently used for Cd2+ and Pb2+ adsorption. Additionally, the physicochemical characteristics of BC and ZnAl-LDH-BC were assessed utilizing various instruments. The obtained ZnAl-LDH-BC400 and ZnAl-LDH-BC600 had surface areas of 52.55 and 102.56 m²/g, respectively, several times greater than those of the original BC. Adsorption performance was investigated using different kinetic and isothermal models. The Langmuir–Freundlich and pseudo-second-order kinetic models demonstrated the adsorption of single-layer chemicals. Furthermore, the highest observed adsorption capacities for Cd2+ and Pb2+ were 99.8 mg g−1 and 128.4 mg g−1, respectively, when using ZnAl-LDH–BC600. In contrast, BC600 demonstrated adsorption capacities of 42.1 mg g−1 for Cd2+ and 51.7 mg g−1 for Pb2+. Cd2+ and Pb2+ adsorption by ZnAl-LDH-BC was primarily governed by surface precipitation and cation exchange processes. These findings highlight the mechanisms underlying the removal of heavy metals using ZnAl-LDH-BC and provide valuable theoretical and applied insights into the management of agricultural waste and control of water pollution.

Effect of cogongrass biochar enriched with nitrogen fertilizer dissolved in seaweed liquid extract on soil water content of Ultisol

Ultisol dry land is characterized by significantly low organic carbon content, an important factor influencing soil water content and physico-chemical dynamics. The addition of N fertilizer dissolved in seaweed liquid extract as an enrichment solution can change the character of biochar. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the characteristics of cogongrass biochar enriched with dissolved N fertilizer in seaweed extract of different species and assess its impact on soil water content in Ultisol. Urea was used as a nitrogen source, and biochar enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in seaweed liquid extract from Kappapychus alvarezii, Sargassum sp., and Ulva lactuca was tested. Biochar dose used was 20% of soil weight with a 10% extract concentration for each type. Furthermore, five-level treatments were tested in a pot experiment, namely (i) without biochar, (ii) biochar unenriched, (iii) enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in K. alvarezii extract, (iv) enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in Sargassum sp. extract, and (v) biochar enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in U. lactuca extract. Each treatment was repeated three times, following a randomized block design. The results showed that cogongrass biochar enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in seaweed extract had a more amorphous surface morphology structure. The proportion of elements and functional groups in cogongrass biochar changed. Enriched biochar increased Ultisol moisture levels, but water holding capacity and retention were lower than the unenriched sample.

Physical Properties of Biochar Produced from Pyrolysis of Arabica Coffee Pulp: The Effect of Pre-Washing Process

Coffee pulp is a potential source of biomass which abundantly available in coffee exporter countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia etc. It is necessary to develop technologies to convert coffee pulp into value-added products. This study aims to investigate the slow pyrolysis process of arabica coffee pulp in a pilot scale reactor and evaluate the properties of resulting biochar. Prior to pyrolysis experiment, some of coffee pulp were soaked in tap water for 20 h with a ratio of water to coffee pulps of 1:5. As comparison, another set of pyrolysis experiment was carried out without soaking and washing of feedstock. The pyrolysis process was carried out in a batch reactor at temperatures within the range of 400 to 420°C. During the run, the reaction temperature versus time was recorded and products yield were quantified. Characterization of biochar product was performed under proximate, bomb calorimeter and density analyses. The yield of biochar and pyrolytic oil, respectively were 33% and 36%. Biochar characterization results suggested a significant decrease in the ash content when washing pretreatment was applied. Increases in the calorific value and bulk density were also observed from pre-washed coffee pulp sample.

The Influence of Biowaste Type on the Physicochemical and Sorptive Characteristics of Corresponding Biochar Used as Sustainable Sorbent

Biowaste raw materials were used for biochar preparation through pyrolysis at 850 °C under a limited oxygen atmosphere. Raw materials and the corresponding biochar samples were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, TGA, N2-sorption, pH-equilibrium, and ash content measurements. These samples were evaluated as sustainable sorbents for use in methylene blue (MB) removal from artificial fresh water. All biochar samples exhibited high specific surface areas (367–870 m2·g−1), low crystallinity, and low population of functional groups (C–O–C, –COOH, –N–O, –N–H, and –OH) on their surfaces. They were mainly micro-porous materials with a significant fraction of pores in the meso-porous range. The specific surface area of the latter pores proved very important for the physical adsorption of MB from aqueous solution. Although the raw materials exhibited low MB sorption capacity, ranging from 29 to 54 mg·g−1, the corresponding biochar samples exhibited important MB sorption efficiency ranging from 58 to 370 mg·g−1. Among the biochar samples studied, those produced from coffee residues proved most promising for MB removal from water solution (sorption capacity: 280–370 mg·g−1), addressing the United Nations Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation by improving the index related to anthropogenic wastewater that has received treatment.

Effect of pyrolysis temperature and molecular weight on characterization of biochar derived dissolved organic matter from invasive plant and binding behavior with the selected pharmaceuticals

A comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of biochar released-dissolved organic matter (BDOM) derived from an invasive plant and its impact on the binding behavior of pharmaceuticals is essential for the application of biochar, yet has received less attention. In this study, the binding behavior of BDOM pyrolyzed at 300–700 °C with sulfathiazole, acetaminophen, chloramphenicol (CAP), and carbamazepine (CMZ) was investigated based on a multi-analytical approach. Generally, the pyrolysis temperature exhibited a more significant impact on the spectral properties of BDOM and pharmaceutical binding behavior than those of the molecular weight. With increased pyrolysis temperature, the dissolved organic carbon decreased while the proportion of the protein-like substance increased. The highest binding capacity towards the drugs was observed for the BDOM pyrolyzed at 500 °C with the molecular weight larger than 0.3 kDa. Moreover, the protein-like substance exhibited higher susceptive and released preferentially during the dialysis process and also showed more sensitivity and bound precedingly with the pharmaceuticals. The active binding points were the aliphatic C–OH, amide II N–H, carboxyl CO, and phenolic-OH on the tryptophan-like substance. Furthermore, the binding affinity of the BDOM pyrolyzed at 500 °C was relatively high with the stability constant (logKM) of 4.51 ± 0.52.

Pyrolysis of biomass harvested from heavy-metal contaminated area: Characteristics of bio-oils and biochars from batch-wise one-stage and continuous two-stage pyrolysis

This study evaluates pyrolysis products obtained from biomasses (silver grass, pine, and acacia) harvested from heavy-metal-contaminated soil. To do so, we utilized two methods: a batch one-stage pyrolysis, and a continuous two-stage pyrolysis. The study results show that the yields and characteristics of bio-oils and biochars varied depending on the pyrolysis process and the type of biomass. The two-stage pyrolysis having two reactors (auger and fluidized bed reactors) appeared to be very suitable for specific chemicals production such as acetic acid, acetol, catechol, and levoglucosan. The biochar obtained from the fluidized-bed reactor of two-stage pyrolysis had high thermal stability, high crystallinity, high inorganic content, and a small number of functional groups. In contrast, the biochar obtained from the one-stage pyrolysis had low thermal stability, low crystallinity, a high carbon content, and a large number of functional groups. The biochar obtained from the two-stage pyrolysis appeared to be suitable as a material for catalyst support and as an adsorbent. The biochar obtained from one-stage pyrolysis appeared to be a suitable as a soil amendment, as an adsorbent, and as a precursor of activated carbon. All biochars showed a negative carbon footprint. In the end, this study, which was conducted using two different processes, was able to obtain the fact that products of pyrolysis biomass contaminated with heavy metals have different characteristics depending on the process characteristics and that their utilization plans are different accordingly. If the optimal utilization method proposed through this study is found, pyrolysis will be able to gain importance as an effective treatment method for biomass contaminated with heavy metals.

Biochar Activation: A Sustainable Carbon Production from Biomass

Biochar, derived from biomass pyrolysis, enhances soil fertility, water retention, and mitigates climate change. The global biochar market is projected to reach USD 3.82 billion by 2027. Activation processes, including chemical methods like sulfuric acid modification, enhance biochar's versatility. Modified biochar effectively retains sulfa methazine, improves soil pH, and demonstrates potential in soil enhancement, wastewater treatment, and heavy metal removal. The study explored 18 pyrolysis combinations, revealing physically and chemically activated cotton stalk bio-char characteristics, such as ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and yields of bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. At 500°C, biochar fixed carbon was nearly three times higher than raw biomass, enhancing its efficacy.

Effects of various pyrolysis temperatures on the physicochemical characteristics of crop straw-derived biochars and their application in tar reforming

As a by-product of the rapid pyrolysis of biomass, biochar not only plays an important role in the biomass conversion process but also holds significant potential value in the catalytic conversion field. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties changes of biochars at different pyrolysis temperatures and their potential application in tar reforming. Biochars derived from three feedstocks of maize straw (MS), rice husk (RH), and cotton straw (CS) were achieved by fast pyrolysis within a broad temperature range of 300–900 °C, respectively. The results showed that the pyrolysis temperature exerted a pronounced influence on the structural characteristics of biochar. With increasing temperature, the H/C and O/C ratios progressively decreased, accompanied by a significant reduction in oxygen-containing structures. In addition, elevated pyrolysis temperatures contributed favorably to the formation of the crystalline structure of biochar. Raman analysis unveiled a correlation between the fused aromatic ring system and H/C ratios, validating the aromatization progress of biochar. In the tar catalytic reforming process, the three representative biochars, under the effect of MS-600 (standing for MS biochar derived at 600 °C), RH-600, and CS-600 catalysts, exhibited outstanding catalytic performance with tar conversion efficiencies of 73.26%, 68.51%, and 71.43%, respectively. This study provided systematic support for the high-value use of biochar from crop straw.

Fast co-pyrolysis of paper mill sludge and corn stover: Relationships between parameters, product distributions, and synergistic interactions

The co-pyrolysis of paper mill sludge (PS) and biomass has attracted significant attention due to its potential for simultaneous resource utilization and waste disposal. In this work, the co-pyrolysis of PS with corn stover (CS) was carried out in a fixed bed reactor to investigate the effect of temperature and PS to CS ratio on the product characteristics. A comparison between the experimental and calculated values of product yield and composition was performed to obtain a deeper understanding of the synergistic interactions. The results exhibited a positive synergistic effect on bio-oil production at lower CS proportions with higher temperatures. Higher temperatures and lower CS proportions were favorable for the formation of aromatics (up to 45.03%) in co-pyrolysis, while the synergistic interactions promoted the production of phenols and exhibited an inhibitory effect on aromatics production. The interactions also inhibited H2 but promoted CO production due to the enhanced decarbonylation of co-pyrolysis intermediates in the presence of PS internal minerals. Additionally, the characterization of biochars indicated an increasing degree of aromaticity with higher temperatures and CS proportions. The synergistic interactions at higher temperatures facilitated the development of pore structures in the biochar, especially micropores. This study provides valuable insights into the relationship between parameters, products, and synergies in the co-pyrolysis of PS and biomass wastes.

Effect of Deashing Treatment on Ash Fusion Characteristics of Biochar from Bamboo Shoot Shells.

To investigate the influence of deashing on fusion characteristics, a combined method of water and acid washing with different sequences (water washing followed by acid washing, and acid washing followed by water washing) was used to treat the biochar of bamboo shoot shells (BBSSs). The results show that deashing decreased the K content of the biochar from 50.3% to 1.08% but increased the Si content from 33.48% to 89.15%. The formation of silicates and aluminosilicates from alkali metal oxides with silicon was an inevitable result of ash phase transformation at the high temperatures used to improve the fusion temperature (>1450 °C). The thermochemical behavior of ash mainly occurs at 1000 °C. The deashing treatment significantly reduced the reaction intensity during the high-temperature process. This significantly increased the thermal stability of the ash. The adjustment of the washing sequence had a slight impact on the chemical compositions, but the differences in ash micromorphology were obvious. Deashing treatments with different washing sequences can significantly improve ash fusion properties effectively and reduce the risk of scaling, slagging, and corrosion. This study provides a new and reasonable strategy for the deashing of biochar to commercially utilize bamboo shoot shell resources.

Cadmium immobilization in soil using phosphate modified biochar derived from wheat straw

The phosphate-modified biochar (BC) immobilizes cadmium (Cd), yet little is known about how phosphate species affect Cd detoxification in contaminated soils. We developed phosphate-modified biochar through the pyrolysis of wheat straw impregnated with three types of phosphate: mono‑potassium phosphate (MKP), dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (DKP), and tripotassium phosphate (TKP). The Cd adsorption mechanism of modified biochar was investigated by biochar characterization, adsorption performance evaluation, and soil incubation tests. The results demonstrated that the efficiency of biochar in immobilizing Cd2+ followed the order: TKP-BC > DKP-BC > MKP-BC. The TKP-BC had the highest orthophosphate content, the fastest adsorption rate, and the largest adsorption capacity (Langmuir) of 257.28 mg/g, which is 6.31 times higher than that of the unmodified BC (CK). In contrast, pyrophosphate was predominant in MKP-BC and DKP-BC. The primary adsorption mechanism for Cd2+ was precipitation, followed by cation exchange, as evidenced by the formation of CdP minerals on the BC surface, and an increase of K+ in solution (compared to water-soluble K+) and a decrease of K+ in the biochar during adsorption. Desorption of Cd from the TKP-BC after adsorption was 9.77 %–12.39 % at a pH of 5–9, much lower than that of CK. The soil incubation test showed the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid extracted Cd of TKP-BC, MKP-BC, and DKP-BC was reduced by 67.93 %, 18.41 % and 31.30 % over CK, respectively. Using the planar optodes technique, we also found that TKP-BC had the longest effect enhancing in situ soil pH. This study provides a theoretical basis for developing heavy metal pollution control technology using green remediation materials and offers insights into the remediation mechanisms.

Thermochemical treatment of spent coffee grounds via torrefaction: A statistical evidence of biochar properties similarity between inert and oxidative conditions

This study used several statistical analyses to explore the impact of both inert and oxidative conditions on the characteristics of biochar derived from the torrefaction of spent coffee grounds (SCG). The study also considered variations in torrefaction temperature and residence time. Various fuel analyses were conducted, including high heating value (HHV), torrefaction index, proximate characteristics, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), hygroscopicity, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the influence of both inert and oxidative conditions on HHV and mass yield was insignificant (p ≥ 0.05). Moreover, considering the same temperature and residence time, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) identified oxidative and inert conditions belonging to the same group or cluster. This finding indicated that neither atmospheric condition significantly affected the characteristics of the biochar measured in this research. Therefore, oxidative torrefaction offers significant advantages as it can produce biochar of comparable quality under inert conditions.

Characterization of biochar produced from different agro-wastes

Characterization of biochar produced from different agro-wastes

Biochar induced trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services and crop productivity

Biochar amendment offers a chance for sustainable agriculture. However, the effectiveness of biochar relies on its physical and chemical properties, which are heavily affected by biochar production conditions and management practices. Therefore, substantial uncertainties regarding the use of biochar exist in agricultural systems globally. This study provides the first quantitative evaluation of the impacts of biochar characteristics and management practices on key ecosystem services by performing a second-order meta-analysis based on 34,628 paired observations in biochar-amended and unamended systems. Overall, biochar enhances phytotoxicity alleviation, physiology regulation, soil remediation and carbon sequestration, and microbial functional gene abundance. However, some prominent trade-offs exist between crop productivity and ecosystem service deliveries including for nutrient cycling, microbial function, climate change mitigation, and the soil microbial community. The adoption of low C:N biochar produced at high pyrolysis temperatures from sewage sludge-derived feedstock, in combination with a moderate application rate and inorganic fertilizer input, shows potential for achieving synergistic promotion of crop productivity and ecosystem services. These outcomes highlight the need for judicious implementation of biochar-based solutions to site-specific soil constraints. The quantified synergy and tradeoff relationships will aid the establishment of a sustainable biochar development framework that strengthens necessary ecosystem services commensurate with food security assurance.

Characterizing Biochar Derived from Palm Kernel Shell Biomass via Slow Pyrolysis for Adsorption Applications

This comprehensive study delves into the thorough characterization of biochar derived from palm kernel shells, with a focus on its potential as an environmentally friendly solution to tackle waste management challenges within Malaysia's agro-industry. Employing the (BET) method, the current investigation unveils an impressive specific surface area of 299.7565 m²/g, complemented by a pore size of 2.17783 nm and a substantial pore volume of 0.1632 cm³/g, attesting to its extraordinary adsorption capacity. Assessment of thermal stability through (FESEM) imaging underscores its resilience, FTIR spectroscopy unravels distinct peaks within the stretching region. XRD analysis introduces a characteristic pattern for palm kernel shell-derived biochar (PKSBC), marked by a prominent, broad peak observed at approximately 2? = 20-30º and 2? = 40-50º, indicative of crystalline and semi-crystalline phases, respectively. Elemental analysis assumes a pivotal role in assessing biochar quality, with a particular emphasis on carbon content, instrumental in identifying potential impurities or contaminants that could compromise its effectiveness in critical applications, including water treatment, air purification, and gas adsorption. This study not only underscores the substantial promise of palm kernel shell-derived biochar in addressing environmental challenges but also provides invaluable insights into its exceptional properties. These findings have the potential to redefine sustainable practices and drive environmental stewardship, offering innovative solutions to the pressing issues of our time.

Biochar technology to increase cassava crop productivity: A study of sustainable agriculture on degraded land

Abstract The aim of this study is to improve soil fertility in cassava, corn, and peanut plants by using biochar technology on degraded land. This research is experimental. This trial used five treatments, No organic amendments, farm yard manure (FYM) 20 Mg ha−1 once, FYM 20 Mg ha−1 yearly, FYM biochar technology 15 Mg ha−1 once, and cassava stem (CS) biochar technology 15 Mg ha−1 once. The design used in this study was a randomized group design (RAK) with three repeats. Before the experiment, the characteristics of treatment material, namely, the manure, biochar, and CS waste biochar were studied. It was observed that cassava, corn, and peanut crops increased nutrient C, water availability, N, P, K, and cation exchange capacity (CEC). From the observations, the treatment of using biochar technology on intercropping cassava and corn can increase C by 25.7 g kg−1, K by 177 cmol, CEC by 17.63 cmol , and water availability by16.87%. Meanwhile, the application treatment of biochar FYM technology on cassava and peanut intercropping can increase C by 24.4 g kg−1, N by 1.3 g kg−1, P by 12.2 g kg−1, K by 1.74 cmol, CEC by 17.93 cmol, and water availability by 17.41%. The use of biochar technology (15 Mg ha)−1 in intercropping cassava with maize or groundnut within 2 years can improve soil fertility and maintain yields. Intercropping cassava with corn or peanuts within 2 years can increase soil fertility and maintain crop yields. Thus, biochar technology has greater potential for the improvement of degraded land in the relatively short term (2 years) and supports sustainable agriculture.

Effect of Coffee Grounds/Coffee Ground Biochar on Cement Hydration and Adsorption Properties.

Taking advantage of the strong adsorption characteristics of coffee grounds (CGs) and coffee ground biochar (CGB), this research employed equal amounts of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% CGs and CGB to replace cement. This study thereby examined the impacts of CGs and CGB on cement compressive strength, as well as their abilities to adsorb chloride ions and formaldehyde. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to investigate the hydration mechanism and characterize the microscopic structure. The results show the following: (1) The presence of a substantial quantity of organic compounds in CGs is found to have an adverse effect on both the compressive strength and hydration degree of the sample. The use of CGB after high-temperature pyrolysis of phosphoric acid can effectively improve the negative impact of organic compounds on the sample. (2) The addition of CGs reduces the adsorption of chloride ions by cement, primarily due to the presence of fewer hydration products. However, when CGB was incorporated into cement, it enhanced the ability to adsorb chloride ions. (3) Cement containing 8% CGB content can slightly enhance the adsorption of formaldehyde. However, the cement sample with 8% CGB content exhibited the most significant ability to adsorb formaldehyde.

Feedstock-Induced Changes in the Physicochemical Characteristics of Biochars Produced from Different Types of Pecan Wastes

Large amounts of residues are generated in pecan cultivation processes. Biochar is an environmentally friendly way to utilize residues but attempts to prepare and apply biochar with pecan residues are rare. In this study, six types of biochars were produced from pecan branches, trunks, roots, nutshells, husks, and leaves under pyrolysis, and their physicochemical properties were compared to assess their application perspective in environmental and agricultural fields. The yields of six pecan biochars were 32.1%–45.9%, with the highest yield for husk biochar (HB) (45.9%). Among the pecan biochars, trunk biochar (TB) and root biochar (RB) had much larger specific surface areas. Branch biochar (BB), TB, and RB presented tubular structures with elliptical pores, while nutshell biochar (NSB), HB, and leaf biochar (LB) appeared flaky or as clustered structures with relatively rougher outer surfaces and irregular pores. The functional group types of pecan biochars were generally similar, but the intensities of the peak near 2900 cm−1 in BB were obviously higher than those of the other biochars. RB and LB contained significantly more ash and volatile than those of the other pecan biochars, with the highest fixed carbon content being found in NSB (70.1%). All of the pecan biochars were alkaline (7.90–9.87), and HB, LB, and NSB had significantly higher pH values than those of the other biochars. Elemental analysis indicated that RB, NSB, and LB had higher carbon levels (more than 70%) with lower O/C ratios (no more than 0.2). HB possessed a relatively high content of nitrogen, potassium, magnesium; the phosphorus content was highest in NSB; LB had the highest calcium content. The results of principal component analysis showed that BB, LB, and NSB were clustered in the same quadrant with relatively close relationships. The results of this study can guide the utilization of pecan wastes and their application as biochar in different fields.

Pb(ΙΙ), Cd(ΙΙ), and Mn(ΙΙ) adsorption onto pruning-derived biochar: physicochemical characterization, modeling and application in real landfill leachate

The aim of this study was to systemically evaluate how different pyrolysis temperatures (400, 550, and 700 °C) and particle sizes (1–2 mm and 63–75 µm) were influenced biochar evolution, made from urban pruning waste, during pyrolysis process and to establish their relationships with biochar potential for removal of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and manganese (Mn) from real municipal solid waste landfill leachate. The effects of pH (2–7), contact time (30–300 min) and adsorbent dosage (0.1–5 g L−1) on heavy metals removal were also examined. The results showed that physicochemical properties of biochar were greatly influenced by pyrolysis temperature. Particle size, however, showed little influence on biochar characteristics (p > 0.05). The yield, volatile matter, hydrogen and oxygen contents, and surface functional groups decreased consistently with increasing pyrolysis temperature. An increase in the pH, electrical conductivity, ash, fixed carbon, and specific surface area values was also found. In biochar samples formed at high temperatures (i.e., 550 and 700 °C), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-FTIR studies confirmed the increase in aromaticity. Field emission scanning electron microscopy-FESEM images showed differences in the microporous structure and lower size pores at higher temperatures. Biochar pyrolyzed at 700 °C with a particle size of 63–75 µm (i.e., Lv700-63) showed the highest removal efficiency performance. Pb and Cd ions were completely removed (100%) by 0.2 g L−1 Lv700-63 at 7.0 pH and contact times of 120 and 90 min, respectively. The maximum percentage removal of Mn was 86.20% at optimum conditions of 0.2 g L−1 Lv700-63 dosage, 7.0 pH, and 180 min contact time. The findings suggests that the surface complexation, π-electron coordination, and cation exchange were the dominant mechanisms for the Pb, Cd, and Mn removal onto Lv700-63.