Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

N-doped carbon fibers in situ prepared by hydrothermal carbonization of Camellia sinensis branches waste for efficient removal of heavy metal ions

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

N-doped carbon fibers (NCFs) were in situ prepared by Camellia sinensis branches waste through hydrothermal carbonization with urea/ZnCl2 at 160–280 °C under 0.8–8.9 MPa. The structural characteristics of NCFs were investigated by elemental analysis, SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS, Raman spectra, and BET surface area. The highest N content of NCFs obtained at 280 °C was 8.96%, and the main forms of doped N were pyridinic N, pyrrolic N, and graphitic N. Moreover, NCFs were applied to remove metal ions successfully. The results showed that NCF-240 had the maximum adsorption amounts of 106.52, 125.23, and 153.49 mg/g for Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+, respectively, while NCF-280 had the best removal ability on Cr6+ (145.67 mg/g). Finally, it demonstrated that the adsorption behavior of NCFs was well fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm models.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Akkaya G, Güzel F (2013) Bioremoval and recovery of Cu(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solution by a novel biosorbent watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seed hulls: kinetic study, equilibrium isotherm, SEM and FTIR analysis. Desalin Water Treat 51:7311–7322

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ban SE, Lee EJ, Lim DJ, Kim IS, Lee JW (2022) Evaluation of sulfuric acid-pretreated biomass-derived biochar characteristics and its diazinon adsorption mechanism. Bioresour Technol 348:126828

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen W, Chen YQ, Yang HP, Xia MW, Li KX, Chen X, Chen HP (2017) Co-pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass and microalgae: products characteristics and interaction effect. Bioresour Technol 245:860–868

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dhir B (2014) Potential of biological materials for removing heavy metals from wastewater. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21:1614–1627

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feizi M, Jalali M (2015) Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions using sunflower, potato, canola and walnut shell residues. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 54:125–136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao YF, Wang HT, Guo JH, Peng P, Zhai MZ, She D (2016) Hydrothermal degradation of hemicelluloses from triploid poplar in hot compressed water at 180–340 °C. Polym Degrad Stab 126:179–187

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghadikolaei NF, Kowsari E, Balou S, Moradi A, Taromi FA (2019) Preparation of porous biomass-derived hydrothermal carbon modified with terminal amino hyperbranched polymer for prominent Cr(VI) removal from water. Bioresour Technol 288:121545

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo SS, Gao YF, Wang YC, Liu ZJ, Wei XN, Peng P, Xiao B, Yang YJ (2019) Urea/ZnCl2 in situ hydrothermal carbonization of Camellia sinensis waste to prepare N-doped biochar for heavy metal removal. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26:30365–30373

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo SS, Wang YC, Wei XN, Gao YF, Xiao B, Yang YJ (2020) Structural analysis and heavy metal adsorption of N-doped biochar from hydrothermal carbonization of Camellia sinensis waste. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27:18866–18874

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo SS, Awasthi MK, Wang YF, Xu P (2021) Current understanding in conversion and application of tea waste biomass: a review. Bioresour Technol 338:125530

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hashem A, Aniagor CO, Nasr MF, Abou-Okeil A (2021) Efficacy of treated sodium alginate and activated carbon fibre for Pb(II) adsorption. Int J Biol Macromol 176:201–216

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hassan MF, Sabri MA, Fazal H, Hafeez A, Shezad N, Hussain M (2020) Recent trends in activated carbon fibers production from various precursors and applications-a comparative review. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 145:104715

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hou YR, Yan SN, Huang GG, Yang QP, Huang SR, Cai JJ (2020) Fabrication of N-doped carbons from waste bamboo shoot shell with high removal efficiency of organic dyes from water. Bioresour Technol 303:122939

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu FP, Wang M, Peng XM, Qiu FX, Zhang T, Dai HL, Liu ZM, Cao Z (2018) High-efficient adsorption of phosphates from water by hierarchical CuAl/biomass carbon fiber layered double hydroxide. Colloids Surf A 555:314–323

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang Z, Xiong C, Zhao MH, Wang SX, Zhou Y, Dai LQ, Zhang LB (2021) Surface-functionalized pomelo peel-derived biochar with mercapto-1,2,4-triazloe for selective elimination of toxic Pb (II) in aqueous solutions. Adv Powder Technol 32:1013–1022

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jia ZG, Li ZY, Ni T, Li SB (2017) Adsorption of low-cost absorption materials based on biomass (Cortaderia selloana flower spikes) for dye removal: kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamic studies. J Mol Liq 229:285–292

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khalil U, Bilal Shakoor M, Ali S, Rizwan M, Nasser Alyemeni M, Wijaya L (2020) Adsorption-reduction performance of tea waste and rice husk biochars for Cr(VI) elimination from wastewater. J Saudi Chemi Soc 24:799–810

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lahijani P, Mohammadi M, Mohamed AR (2018) Metal incorporated biochar as a potential adsorbent for high capacity CO2 capture at ambient condition. J CO2 Util 26:281-293

  • Lédé J (2012) Cellulose pyrolysis kinetics: an historical review on the existence and role of intermediate active cellulose. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 94:17–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leng LJ, Xu SY, Liu RF, Yu T, Zhuo XM, Leng SQ, Xiong Q, Huang HJ (2020) Nitrogen containing functional groups of biochar: an overview. Bioresour Technol 298:122286

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Ng DHL, Song P, Kong C, Song Y, Yang P (2015) Preparation and characterization of high-surface-area activated carbon fibers from silkworm cocoon waste for Congo red adsorption. Biomass Bioenergy 75:189–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Q, Zhai JP, Zhang WY, Wang MM, Zhou J (2007) Kinetic studies of adsorption of Pb(II), Cr(III) and Cu(II) from aqueous solution by sawdust and modified peanut husk. J Hazard Mater 141:163–167

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang HX, Zhang HW, Zhao PY, Zhao XK, Sun HW, Geng ZC, She D (2021) Synthesis of a novel three-dimensional porous carbon material and its highly selective Cr(VI) removal in wastewater. J Cleaner Prod 306:127204

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu C, Ngo HH, Guo WS (2012) Watermelon rind: agro-waste or superior biosorbent? Appl Biochem Biotechnol 167:1699–1715

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma FQ, Gui YY, Liu P, Xue Y, Song W (2020) Functional fibrous materials-based adsorbents for uranium adsorption and environmental remediation. Chem Eng J 390:124597

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Osman AI, Blewitt J, Abu-Dahrieh JK, Farrell C, Al-Muhtaseb AH, Harrison J, Rooney DW (2019) Production and characterisation of activated carbon and carbon nanotubes from potato peel waste and their application in heavy metal removal. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26:37228–37241

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park SJ, Kim YM (2005) Adsorption behaviors of heavy metal ions onto electrochemically oxidized activated carbon fibers. Mater Sci Eng A 391:121–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qu J, Zhang Q, Xia YS, Cong Q, Luo CQ (2015) Synthesis of carbon nanospheres using fallen willow leaves and adsorption of rhodamine B and heavy metals by them. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22:1408–1419

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakhiya AK, Baghel P, Anand A, Vijay VK, Kaushal P (2021) A comparative study of physical and chemical activation of rice straw derived biochar to enhance Zn2+ adsorption. Bioresour Technol Rep 15:100774

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sarma GK, Sen Gupta S, Bhattacharyya KG (2019) Nanomaterials as versatile adsorbents for heavy metal ions in water: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26:6245–6278

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shakya A, Agarwal T (2019) Removal of Cr(VI) from water using pineapple peel derived biochars: adsorption potential and re-usability assessment. J Mol Liq 293:111497

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shinde SD, Meng XZ, Kumar R, Ragauskas AJ (2018) Recent advances in understanding the pseudo-lignin formation in a lignocellulosic biorefinery. Green Chem 20:2192–2205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Srivastava S, Agrawal SB, Mondal MK (2015) A review on progress of heavy metal removal using adsorbents of microbial and plant origin. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22:15386–15415

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun DZ, Li FY, Jin JW, Khan S, Eltohamy KM, He MM, Liang XQ (2022) Qualitative and quantitative investigation on adsorption mechanisms of Cd(II) on modified biochar derived from co-pyrolysis of straw and sodium phytate. Sci Total Environ 829:154599

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun QQ, Zhao XK, Wang DM, Dong JE, She D, Peng P (2018) Preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline cellulose/Eucommia ulmoides gum nanocomposite film. Carbohydr Polym 181:825–832

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wan ZQ, Li KQ (2018) Effect of pre-pyrolysis mode on simultaneous introduction of nitrogen/oxygen-containing functional groups into the structure of bagasse-based mesoporous carbon and its influence on Cu(II) adsorption. Chemosphere 194:370–380

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang WL, Liu Y, Liu XH, Deng BJ, Lu SY, Zhang YR, Bi B, Ren ZM (2018) Equilibrium adsorption study of the adsorptive removal of Cd2+ and Cr6+ using activated carbon. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25:25538–25550

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Qiu XD, Cao SY, Chen JJ, Shi XW, Du YM, Deng HB (2019) Adsorption of natural composite sandwich-like nanofibrous mats for heavy metals in aquatic environment. J Colloid Interface Sci 539:533–544

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu JJ, Chou SY (2000) Contaminated site remedial investigation and feasibility removal of chlorinated volatile organic compounds from groundwater by activated carbon fiber adsorption. Chemosphere 41:371–378

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu WC, Lian F, Cui GN, Liu ZQ (2018) N-doping effectively enhances the adsorption capacity of biochar for heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. Chemosphere 193:8–16

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan JJ, Zhu Y, Wang JZ, Liu ZG, He MY, Zhang T, Li PP, Qiu FX (2021) Facile modification of biochar derived from agricultural straw waste with effective adsorption and removal of phosphorus from domestic sewage. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater 31:3867–3879

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao DZ, Wang Z, Lu S, Shi XM (2020) An amidoxime-functionalized polypropylene fiber: competitive removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from wastewater and subsequent sequestration in cement mortar. J Cleaner Prod 274:123049

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Z, Xu ZH, Feng QJ, Yao DH, Yu JG, Wang DS, Lv SQ, Liu YF, Zhou N, Zhong ME (2018) Effect of pyrolysis condition on the adsorption mechanism of lead, cadmium and copper on tobacco stem biochar. J Cleaner Prod 187:996–1005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi (2021ZDLNY04-03) and the Agricultural Special Fund Project of Shaanxi Province (NYKJ-2021-YL(XN)20) for supporting this work.

Funding

This work was supported by the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi (2021ZDLNY04-03) and the Agricultural Special Fund Project of Shaanxi Province (NYKJ-2021-YL(XN)20).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Horticulture, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, China

    Shasha Guo, Yubo Liu, Bin Xiao & Yuefang Gao

  2. Shaanxi Dongyu Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Xixiang, 723500, China

    Weiguo Zhang

  3. Hanshuiyun Tea Co., Ltd., Ankang, 725000, China

    Yancheng Wang

Authors
  1. Shasha Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yubo Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Weiguo Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yancheng Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Bin Xiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yuefang Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Shasha Guo conducted all experimental works, collected and analyzed the data, and wrote the first draft; Yubo Liu assisted the first author in experiments; Weiguo Zhang and Yancheng Wang prepared the material and collect the data; Bin Xiao contributed to the investigation, validation, and proofread the draft; Yuefang Gao conceived the idea, interpreted the data, and proofread the final manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yuefang Gao.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

This article does not involve any human participants or animals.

Consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Zhihong Xu

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

ESM 1

(DOCX 458 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Guo, S., Liu, Y., Zhang, W. et al. N-doped carbon fibers in situ prepared by hydrothermal carbonization of Camellia sinensis branches waste for efficient removal of heavy metal ions. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 88951–88961 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21923-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21923-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation