Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Improving of Cd2+ Adsorption Performance of Hydrochar Obtained from Corn Straw Waste with KOH Activation

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The corn straw hydrochar was prepared by a two-step method of hydrothermal carbonization and chemical activation. Hydrochar (HC) is a promising adsorbent due to its porous and abundant carbon structure. Chemical activation can improve the HC surface structure and properties and enhance the HC adsorption capacity. In this study, different concentrations of KOH solution were used to activate the original HC, improve the adsorption performance of the original HC, and efficiently remove Cd2+ from the solution. The surface properties of activated hydrochar were characterized using SEM, FTIR, XPS, elemental analysis, and other methods. The results showed that the activation of KOH enriched the active sites of HC. Among them, the HC activated by 1 mol/L KOH has the best adsorption (31.40 mg/g), which is 5.38 times the original HC adsorption. After KOH activation, surface complexation and ion exchange were enhanced, which facilitated the removal of Cd2+. Therefore, KOH activation of HC is an efficient and easy-to-operate method to convert straw hydrochar into an adsorbent with better adsorption capacity to remove Cd2+ in the solution.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

Research Data Policy and Data Availability Statements

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).

References

  • Bedin, K. C., Martins, A. C., Cazetta, A. L., Pezoti, O., & Almeida, V. C. (2016). KOH-activated carbon prepared from sucrose spherical carbon: Adsorption equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies for Methylene Blue removal. Chemical Engineering Journal, 286, 476–484.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, G., Wangv, C., Tian, J., Liu, J., Ma, Q., Liu, B., & Li, X. (2020). Investigation on cadmium ions removal from water by different raw materials-derived biochars. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 35, 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, H., Zhang, J., Tang, L., Su, M., Tian, D., Zhang, L., Li, Z., & Hu, S. (2019). Enhanced Pb immobilization via the combination of biochar and phosphate solubilizing bacteria. Environment International, 127, 395–401.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cui, Z. G., Ahmed, K., Zaidi, S. F., & Muhammad, J. S. (2021). Ins and outs of cadmium-induced carcinogenesis: Mechanism and prevention. Cancer Treatment and Research Communications, 27, 1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elaigwu, S. E., Rocher, V., Kyriakou, G., & Greenway, G. M. (2014). Removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+ from aqueous solution using chars from pyrolysis and microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization of Prosopis africana shell. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 20(5), 3467–3473.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, L., Xu, X., Fu, G., Zhang, R., & Liu, H. (2020). Adsorption and desorption characteristics of cadmium ion by ash-free biochars. Journal of Renewable Materials, 8(7), 801–818.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, L. Y., Deng, J. H., Huang, G. F., Li, K., Cai, K. Z., Liu, Y., & Huang, F. (2019). Relative distribution of Cd2+ adsorption mechanisms on biochars derived from rice straw and sewage sludge. Bioresource Technology, 272, 114–122.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hua, Y., Zheng, X., Xue, L., Han, L., He, S., Mishra, T., Feng, Y., Yang, L., & Xing, B. (2020). Microbial aging of hydrochar as a way to increase cadmium ion adsorption capacity: Process and mechanism. Bioresource Technology, 300, 1–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inyang, M., Gao, B., Yao, Y., Xue, Y., Zimmerman, A. R., Pullammanappallil, P., & Cao, X. (2012). Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution by biochars derived from anaerobically digested biomass. Bioresource Technology, 110, 50–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khataee, A., Kayan, B., Kalderis, D., Karimi, A., Akay, S., & Konsolakis, M. (2017). Ultrasound-assisted removal of Acid Red 17 using nanosized Fe3O4-loaded coffee waste hydrochar. Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 35(Pt A), 72–80.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, D., Cui, H., Cheng, Y., Xue, L., Wang, B., He, H., Hua, Y., Chu, Q., Feng, Y., & Yang, L. (2021a). Chemical aging of hydrochar improves the Cd2+ adsorption capacity from aqueous solution. Environmental Pollution, 287, 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., Shi, Y., Bai, L., Chi, M., Xu, X., & Liu, Y. (2021b). Low temperature one-pot hydrothermal carbonization of corn straw into hydrochar for adsorbing cadmium (II) in wastewater. Energies, 14(24), 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, D., Tang, Y., Li, J., Hao, Z., Zhu, J., Wei, J., Liu, C., Dong, L., Jia, B., & Chen, G. (2021). Eupatorium adenophorum derived adsorbent by hydrothermal-assisted HNO3 modification and application to Pb2+ adsorption. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 9(5), 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, L., Huang, Y., Zhang, S., Gong, Y., Su, Y., Cao, J., & Hu, H. (2019). Adsorption characteristics and mechanism of Pb(II) by agricultural waste-derived biochars produced from a pilot-scale pyrolysis system. Waste Management, 100, 287–295.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., Ma, S., & Chen, J. (2018). A novel pyro-hydrochar via sequential carbonization of biomass waste: Preparation, characterization and adsorption capacity. Journal of Cleaner Production, 176, 187–195.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., Wang, L., Wang, X., Jing, F., Chang, R., & Chen, J. (2020). Oxidative ageing of biochar and hydrochar alleviating competitive sorption of Cd(II) and Cu(II). Science of the Total Environment, 725, 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Z., & Zhang, F.-S. (2011). Removal of copper (II) and phenol from aqueous solution using porous carbons derived from hydrothermal chars. Desalination, 267(1), 101–106.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohan, D., Pittman, C. U., Jr., Bricka, M., Smith, F., Yancey, B., Mohammad, J., Steele, P. H., Alexandre-Franco, M. F., Gomez-Serrano, V., & Gong, H. (2007). Sorption of arsenic, cadmium, and lead by chars produced from fast pyrolysis of wood and bark during bio-oil production. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 310(1), 57–73.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moyo, M., Lindiwe, S. T., Sebata, E., Nyamunda, B. C., & Guyo, U. (2015). Equilibrium, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies on biosorption of Cd(II) from aqueous solution by biochar. Research on Chemical Intermediates, 42(2), 1349–1362.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen, L. H., Nguyen, X. H., Nguyen, N. D. K., Van, H. T., Thai, V. N., Le, H. N., Pham, V. D., Nguyen, N. A., Nguyen, T. P., & Nguyen, T. H. (2021). H2O2 modified-hydrochar derived from paper waste sludge for enriched surface functional groups and promoted adsorption to ammonium. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 126, 119–133.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park, J. H., Ok, Y. S., Kim, S. H., Cho, J. S., Heo, J. S., Delaune, R. D., & Seo, D. C. (2016). Competitive adsorption of heavy metals onto sesame straw biochar in aqueous solutions. Chemosphere, 142, 77–83.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Regmi, P., Garcia Moscoso, J. L., Kumar, S., Cao, X., Mao, J., & Schafran, G. (2012). Removal of copper and cadmium from aqueous solution using switchgrass biochar produced via hydrothermal carbonization process. Journal of Environmental Management, 109, 61–69.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sahadat Hossain, Md. (2019). Review of cadmium pollution in Bangladesh. Journal of Health & Pollution, 9(23), 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suhani, I., Sahab, S., Srivastava, V., & Singh, R. P. (2021). Impact of cadmium pollution on food safety and human health. Current Opinion in Toxicology, 27, 1–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, K., Tang, J., Gong, Y., & Zhang, H. (2015). Characterization of potassium hydroxide (KOH) modified hydrochars from different feedstocks for enhanced removal of heavy metals from water. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 22(21), 16640–16651.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takaya, C. A., Fletcher, L. A., Singh, S., Anyikude, K. U., & Ross, A. B. (2016). Phosphate and ammonium sorption capacity of biochar and hydrochar from different wastes. Chemosphere, 145, 518–527.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, B., Yu, J., Liao, H., Zhu, W., Ding, P., & Zhou, J. (2020). Adsorption of lead (II) from aqueous solution with high efficiency by hydrothermal biochar derived from honey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10), 1–13.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, C., Li, X., Wu, W., Chen, G., & Tao, J. (2021). Removal of cadmium in water by potassium hydroxide activated biochar produced from Enteromorpha prolifera. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 42, 1–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y., Zhang, W., Shang, J., Shen, C., & Joseph, S. D. (2019). Chemical aging changed aggregation kinetics and transport of biochar colloids. Environmental Science and Technology, 53(14), 8136–8146.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J., Wang, T., Wang, J., Zhang, Y., & Pan, W. P. (2021). A novel modified method for the efficient removal of Pb and Cd from wastewater by biochar: Enhanced the ion exchange and precipitation capacity. Science of the Total Environment, 754, 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, J., He, Q., & Yang, L. (2019a). A review on hydrothermal co-liquefaction of biomass. Applied Energy, 250, 926–945.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, X., Wan, Y., Zheng, Y., He, F., Yu, Z., Huang, J., Wang, H., Ok, Y. S., Jiang, Y., & Gao, B. (2019b). Surface functional groups of carbon-based adsorbents and their roles in the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions: A critical review. Chemical Engineering Journal, 366, 608–621.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, L., Tan, J., Xing, G., Dou, X., & Guo, X. (2021). Cotton stalk-derived hydrothermal carbon for methylene blue dye removal: Investigation of the raw material plant tissues. Bioresources and Bioprocessing, 8(1), 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, S., Yang, X., Liu, L., Ju, M., & Zheng, K. (2018). Adsorption behavior of selective recognition functionalized biochar to Cd(II) in wastewater. Materials (basel), 11(2), 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, M., Dai, Y., Zhang, M., Feng, C., Qin, B., Zhang, W., Zhao, N., Li, Y., Ni, Z., Xu, Z., Tsang, D. C. W., & Qiu, R. (2020). Mechanisms of Pb and/or Zn adsorption by different biochars: Biochar characteristics, stability, and binding energies. Science of the Total Environment, 717, 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, R., Zhang, M., Zhou, J., & Wang, J. (2019). Optimization of biochar preparation from the stem of Eichhornia crassipes using response surface methodology on adsorption of Cd2+. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, L., Tong, L., Zhao, N., Wang, X., Yang, X., & Lv, Y. (2020). Key factors and microscopic mechanisms controlling adsorption of cadmium by surface oxidized and aminated biochars. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 382, 1–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52070088), the Jilin Science and Technology Bureau Outstanding Young Talents Training Special Project (No.20200104118), the Scientific Research Project of Education Department of Jilin Province (No.JJKH20210263KJ), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52100146), and the open fund: Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment, Ministry of Education.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, 130118, People’s Republic of China

    Yan Shi & Li Bai

  2. School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, 130118, People’s Republic of China

    Heng Li, Yushi Rong, Mingshu Chi, Chenglin Li, Hao Bai & Yue Liu

  3. Library, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, 130118, People’s Republic of China

    Xiuling Xu

Authors
  1. Yan Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Heng Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yushi Rong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Li Bai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mingshu Chi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xiuling Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Chenglin Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Hao Bai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Yue Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yan Shi.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

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

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 340 kb)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Shi, Y., Li, H., Rong, Y. et al. The Improving of Cd2+ Adsorption Performance of Hydrochar Obtained from Corn Straw Waste with KOH Activation. Water Air Soil Pollut 233, 502 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05981-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05981-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation