Fast aniline and nitrobenzene remediation from water on magnetized and nonmagnetized Douglas fir biochar. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bombuwala Dewage, Narada; Liyanage, Achala S.; Smith, Quanisha; Pittman, Charles U.; Perez, Felio; Hassan, El Barbary; Mohan, Dinesh; Mlsna, Todd
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 225(2019)
• Page Start: 943
• Page End: 953
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: Magnetic biochar -- Aniline -- Nitrobenzene -- Adsorption -- Wastewater; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.050
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Magnetic biochar (MBC) was prepared by the dispersion of α-Fe2 O3 and Fe3 O4 particles on high surface area (663 m 2 /g) Douglas fir biochar (BC). The BC was impregnated with FeCl3 and pyrolyzed at 600 °C under N2 to produce (494 m 2 /g) MBC. Both BC and MBC biochars were used for removal of aniline and nitrobenzene from water. MBC and its precursor BC were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), surface area analysis (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm) (SBET ), point of zero charge (PZC), X-ray powder diffraction (XDR), elemental analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Batch sorption studies were carried out from pH 2–12 and both aniline and nitrobenzene adsorption on MBC and BC remained high and unchanged over the entire pH range. Sorption was evaluated using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Langmuir adsorption capacities on BC and MBC (pH 7, 25 °C) were 360 mg/g and 338 mg/g for aniline and 193 mg/g and 178 mg/g for nitrobenzene, respectively. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Biochar (BC) had superb aniline and nitrobenzene (360 and 193 mg/g) capacities. Magnetic biochar (MBC) capacities of 338 and 178 mg/g were achieved. Adsorption on BC and MBC occurs mainly by π-π interactions and H-bonding. Fast equilibrium occurred in <5 min for aniline and nitrobenzene adsorptions. Adsorption of these sorbates on the iron oxides was a minor contributor.