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Biochar derived from Salvadora persica branches biomass as low-cost adsorbent for removal of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) from water

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Abstract

In recent years, biochar based adsorbents have been given more attention for organic and inorganic pollutants removal. Therefore, in this study, a new low-cost biochar adsorbent derived from Salvadora persica branches (BSP) was prepared, characterized and investigated for removal of U(VI) and Th(IV) radioactive elements from water. The effects of batch adsorption conditions were studied. The maximum removal efficiencies are around 99% for each of U(VI) and Th(IV), with adsorption capacities 85.71 mg g−1 and 84.97 mg g−1 respectively. It has been found the adsorption process of U(VI) and Th(IV) is spontaneous, exothermic and follows pseudo-second-order kinetics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

    Mohammad Albayari, Norazzizi Nordin & Rohana Adnan

  2. Center for Environment and Water, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    Mazen K. Nazal

  3. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Fawwaz I. Khalili

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  1. Mohammad Albayari
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Correspondence to Mazen K. Nazal.

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Albayari, M., Nazal, M.K., Khalili, F.I. et al. Biochar derived from Salvadora persica branches biomass as low-cost adsorbent for removal of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) from water. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 328, 669–678 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07667-2

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