Biochar Modification with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles can Enhance its Adsorption Capacity for Phosphorus
摘要
In present study, the efficiency of different biochars (BCs) based on feedstock such as algal biomass (ABB), maize straw (MSB), lawn grass (LGB), rice straw (RSB), and vegetable peels (VPB) either pristine (PBC) or modified with nanoparticles (MBC) for phosphorus removal from aqueous solution was compared. Characterization of BCs was done through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD). The results revealed the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and aliphatic functional groups, and higher thermal stability of MBCs as compared to PBC. Among BCs, RSB showed higher BET surface area (68.05 m2 g−1), and total pore volume of 0.129 cm3 g−1. The SEM and EDX show diverse surface morphology such as roughness, porosity, and precipitates. XRD further confirmed the presence of phases of iron oxides which helped in P sorption. Batch-sorption studies for P sorption using the above-described BCs, the kinetic models including Pseudo first order and Pseudo second order of kinetic studies show maximum P adsorption (17572.42 mg kg−1) by VPB modified with FeO-NPs. Similarly, Pseudo-second order was best fitted with the data showing chemical nature of the adsorbents. This work provided new insights into biomass waste resource utilization and suggested a sustainable solution to P contaminated water.