Layered double hydroxide–loaded biochar as a sorbent for the removal of aquatic phosphorus: behavior and mechanism insights (original) (raw)

Comparative Adsorptive Removal of Phosphate and Nitrate from Wastewater Using Biochar-MgAl LDH Nanocomposites: Coexisting Anions Effect and Mechanistic Studies

2020

In this study, date-palm biochar MgAl-augmented double-layered hydroxide (biochar-MgAl-LDH) nanocomposite was synthesized, characterized, and used for enhancing the removal of phosphate and nitrate pollutants from wastewater. The biochar-MgAl-LDH had higher selectivity and adsorption affinity towards phosphate compared to nitrate. The adsorption kinetics of both anions were better explained by the pseudo-first-order model with a faster removal rate to attain equilibrium in a shorter time, especially at lower initial phosphate-nitrate concentration. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities of phosphate and nitrate by the non-linear Langmuir model were 177.97 mg/g and 28.06 mg/g, respectively. The coexistence of anions (Cl − , SO 4 2− , NO 3 − , CO 3 2− and HCO 3 −) negligibly affected the removal of phosphate due to its stronger bond on the nano-composites, while the presence of Cl − and PO 4 3− reduced the nitrate removal attributed to the ions' participation in the active adsorption sites on the surface of biochar-MgAl-LDH. The excellent adsorptive performance is the main synergetic influence of the MgAl-LDH incorporation into the biochar. The regeneration tests confirmed that the biochar-MgAl composite can be restored effortlessly and has the prospective to be reused after several subsequent adsorption-desorption cycles. The biochar-LDH further demonstrated capabilities for higher removal of phosphate and nitrate from real wastewater.

Modeling of Phosphate Removal by Mg/Al-LDH Functionalized Biochar and Hydrochar from Aqueous Solutions

Iranian Journal of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering-international English Edition, 2021

Layered double hydroxide functionalized biochar and hydrochar composites are environmentally friendly and low-cost adsorbents for the removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions. In the present study, Mg-Al layered double hydroxide functionalized apple wood biochar and hydrochar were prepared and their phosphate adsorption characteristics were examined through batch experiments. Moreover, important factors affecting adsorption including initial phosphorus concentration (25-200 mg/L), contact time (5-120 min), ionic strength (deionized water, and 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 mol/L KCl), pH (3-10), and adsorbent dosage (1, 2, 3, and 4 g/L) were investigated. Based on the results, the phosphate adsorption by Mg-Al layered double hydroxide modified biochar and hydrochar were comparable with Mg-Al layered double hydroxide and were greater than biochar and hydrochar. As expected, phosphate adsorption was decreased by increasing solution pH and ionic strength. The highest phosphate removal was att...

Enhancing phosphate adsorption by Mg/Al layered double hydroxide functionalized biochar with different Mg/Al ratios

The Science of the total environment, 2016

Mg/Al ratio plays a significant role for anion adsorption by Mg/Al-layered double hydroxides (Mg/Al-LDHs) modified biochar. In this study, Mg/Al-LDHs biochar with different Mg/Al ratios (2, 3, 4) were prepared by co-precipitation for phosphate removal from aqueous solution. Factors on phosphate adsorption including Mg/Al ratio, pH, and the presence of other inorganic anions were investigated through batch experiments. Increasing Mg/Al ratio in the Mg/Al-LDHs biochar composites generally enhanced phosphate adsorption with Langmuir adsorption maximum calculated at 81.83mg phosphorous (P) per gram of 4:1Mg/Al-LDHs biochar at pH3.0. The adsorption process was best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Solution pH had greater effects on the phosphate adsorption by Mg/Al LDHs biochar composites with lower Mg/Al ratios. The presence of other inorganic anions decreased the phosphate adsorption efficiency in the order of F(-) > SO4(2-) > NO2(-) >Cl(-). Phosphate adsorp...

Formable porous biochar loaded with La-Fe(hydr)oxides/montmorillonite for efficient removal of phosphorus in wastewater: process and mechanisms

Biochar

The development of biochar-based granule-like adsorbents suitable for scaled-up application has been attracting increasing attention in the field of water treatment. Herein, a new formable porous granulated biochar loaded with La-Fe(hydr)oxides/montmorillonite (LaFe/MB) was fabricated via a granulation and pyrolysis process for enhanced phosphorus (P) removal from wastewater. Montmorillonite acted as a binder that increased the size of the granulated biochar, while the use of Fe promoted the surface charge and facilitated the dispersion of La, which was responsible for selective phosphate removal. LaFe/MB exhibited rapid phosphate adsorption kinetics and a high maximum adsorption capacity (Langmuir model, 52.12 mg P g−1), which were better than those of many existing granulated materials. The desorption and recyclability experiments showed that LaFe/MB could be regenerated, and maintained 76.7% of its initial phosphate adsorption capacity after four adsorption cycles. The high hydr...

Reactivity of Fe-amended biochar for phosphorus removal and recycling from wastewater

PLOS Water

Using biochar to remove phosphorus (P) from wastewater has the potential to improve surface water quality and recycle recovered P as a fertilizer. In this research, effects of iron modification on P sorption behavior and molecular characterization on two different biochars and an activated carbon were studied. A biochar produced from cow manure anaerobic digest fibers (AD) pyrolyzed under NH3 gas had the greatest phosphate sorption capacity (2300 mg/kg), followed by the activated carbon (AC) (1500 mg/kg), and then the biochar produced from coniferous forest biomass (BN) (300 mg/kg). Modifying the biochars and AC with 2% iron by mass increased sorption capacities of the BN biochar to 2000 mg/kg and the AC to 2300 mg/kg, but decreased sorption capacity of the AD biochar to 1700 mg/kg. Molecular analysis of the biochars using P K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy indicated that calcium phosphate minerals were the predominant species in the unmodified biocha...

Modification of Hardwood Derived Biochar to Improve Phosphorus Adsorption

Environments

The excessive application of phosphorus in agricultural lands leads to serious environmental issues. Efficient application is beneficial from an economic and environmental perspectives. Biochar can be used as a carrier for slow release of phosphate. However, its adsorption capacity is limited. In this work, biochar was prepared at different pyrolysis temperatures (350–550 °C). The biochar prepared at 550 °C had the highest adsorption capacity and was selected for modification by magnesium impregnation. Magnesium modification enhanced the adsorption capacity by 34% to a theoretical max adsorption capacity of 463.5 mg·g−1. The adsorbed phosphate can be desorbed. The desorption was bi-phasic with fast- and slow-release fractions. The distribution of the phosphate fractions was pH dependent with slow release being most prominent in neutral conditions. Mg modified biochar can be used to recover phosphate and then used as a carrier for slow release of phosphate. The bi-phasic desorption b...

Modified Biochar—A Tool for Wastewater Treatment

Energies

Global deposits of concentrated phosphates, which are a necessary source for the production of phosphate fertilizers, are limited. These reserves keep getting thinner, and every day, large amounts of phosphorus end up in watercourses. In this study, we verified that modified biochar (saturated with FeCl3 solution and then neutralized with NaOH solution) can adsorb significant amounts of phosphorus from wastewater. Moreover, the agrochemical qualities of sludge water from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, struvite, phosphorus-saturated biochar, and iron(III) phosphate from a reused biochar filter were tested in this study. We determined the amount of mobile phosphorus as well as the amount of extractable phosphorus and its five fractions. It was found that modified biochar can hold one-third of the phosphorus amount contained in the commonly used agricultural fertilizer simple superphosphate (1 × 105 g of modified biochar captures up to 2.79 × 103 g of P). Moreover, plants can ...

Enhanced removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions using a modified sludge derived biochar: Comparative study of various modifying cations and RSM based optimization of pyrolysis parameters

Journal of environmental management, 2018

Different biochars produced by the impregnation of Mg, Ca, Al, Cu, and Fe were compared for the phosphate (P) uptake capacity and the effect on solution pH. Among them, Ca- and Mg-rich biochars demonstrate better sorption ability to P and have less effect on pH change. The optimum conditions of the pyrolysis processes were determined using response surface methodology. Comparison of the P removal efficiency of these two biochars under optimum conditions imply the superior adsorption capability of Ca-rich biochar. According to XRD analysis, calcite is the dominant mineral on the biochar surface, indicating the potential of Ca-rich biochar for P removal by adsorption and precipitation. Predictive second-order kinetic and linear Langmuir isotherm models could adequately interpret the P sorption process for optimized Ca-rich biochar. The maximum P sorption capacity of Ca-rich biochar of 153.85 mg/g is superior to other adsorbents reported in literature.

Progress in the preparation and application of modified biochar for improved contaminant removal from water and wastewater

Bioresource technology, 2016

Modified biochar (BC) is reviewed in its preparation, functionality, applications and regeneration. The nature of precursor materials, preparatory conditions and modification methods are key factors influencing BC properties. Steam activation is unsuitable for improving BC surface functionality compared with chemical modifications. Alkali-treated BC possesses the highest surface functionality. Both alkali modified BC and nanomaterial impregnated BC composites are highly favorable for enhancing the adsorption of different contaminants from wastewater. Acidic treatment provides more oxygenated functional groups on BC surfaces. The Langmuir isotherm model provides the best fit for sorption equilibria of heavy metals and anionic contaminants, while the Freundlich isotherm model is the best fit for emerging contaminants. The pseudo 2(nd) order is the most appropriate model of sorption kinetics for all contaminants. Future research should focus on industry-scale applications and hybrid sy...