Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The sorbed mechanisms of engineering magnetic biochar composites on arsenic in aqueous solution

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

Abstract

The aim of this study was to produce magnetic biochar for the removal of As (III) from the aquatic environment. Magnetic biochar (MBC) was prepared from corn straw‑derived biochar. Pristine biochar (BC) was impregnated with iron oxide and relative analyses were performed on the adsorption capacity of BC’s and MBC’s. After impregnation, the specific surface area of MBC800-0.6300 increased from 79.66 to 309.7 m2 g−1 and superparamagnetic magnetization was about 9.75 emu g−1 contributed by the contained Fe3O4. Results of MBC800-0.6300 showed maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) 22.94 mg g−1 for As (III) based on Langmuir model which is 5.71 times higher than the adsorption capacity of BC800 (4.02 mg g−1). The adsorption of As (III) increased significantly due to the successful loading of iron oxide and the increased oxygen functional groups that were confirmed by XPS and FTIR results. The removal of As (III) followed Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order (R2 ≥ 0.99), indicated that the adsorption rate was monolayer and depended on the chemical adsorption process, respectively. Consequently, the simple preparation procedure and high adsorption performance suggest that MBC800-0.6300 could be used as an environment-friendly and extremely effective adsorbent for As (III) removal from aqueous environment.

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

References

  • Asfaram A, Ghaedi M, Ghezelbash GR (2016) Biosorption of Zn 2+, Ni 2+ and co 2+ from water samples onto Yarrowia lipolytica ISF7 using a response surface methodology, and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). RSC Adv 6:23599–23610

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baig SA, Zhu J, Muhammad N, Sheng T, Xu X (2014) Effect of synthesis methods on magnetic Kans grass biochar for enhanced as (III, V) adsorption from aqueous solutions. Biomass Bioenergy 71:299–310

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Banerjee K, Amy GL, Prevost M, Nour S, Jekel M, Gallagher PM, Blumenschein CD (2008) Kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of adsorption of arsenic onto granular ferric hydroxide (GFH). Water Res 42:3371–3378

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bang S, Johnson MD, Korfiatis GP, Meng X (2005) Chemical reactions between arsenic and zero-valent iron in water. Water Res 39:763–770

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen T, Quan X, Ji Z, Li X, Pei Y (2020) Synthesis and characterization of a novel magnetic calcium-rich nanocomposite and its remediation behaviour for As (III) and Pb (II) co-contamination in aqueous systems. Sci Total Environ 706:135122

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury SR, Yanful EK, Pratt AR (2011) Arsenic removal from aqueous solutions by mixed magnetite–maghemite nanoparticles. Environ Earth Sci 64:411–423

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cui J, Jin Q, Li Y, Li F (2019) Oxidation and removal of As (iii) from soil using novel magnetic nanocomposite derived from biomass waste. Environ Sci Nano 6:478–488

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deng J, Liu Y, Liu S, Zeng G, Tan X, Huang B, Tang X, Wang S, Hua Q, Yan Z (2017) Competitive adsorption of Pb (II), Cd (II) and Cu (II) onto chitosan-pyromellitic dianhydride modified biochar. J Colloid Interface Sci 506:355–364

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feng L, Cao M, Ma X, Zhu Y, Hu C (2012) Superparamagnetic high-surface-area Fe3O4 nanoparticles as adsorbents for arsenic removal. J Hazard Mater 217:439–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleker O, Borenstein A, Lavi R, Benisvy L, Ruthstein S, Aurbach D (2016) Preparation and properties of metal organic framework/activated carbon composite materials. Langmuir 32:4935–4944

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fosso-Kankeu E, Mittal H, Waanders F, Ray SS (2017) Thermodynamic properties and adsorption behaviour of hydrogel nanocomposites for cadmium removal from mine effluents. J Ind Eng Chem 48:151–161

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu D, He Z, Su S, Xu B, Liu Y, Zhao Y (2017) Fabrication of α-FeOOH decorated graphene oxide-carbon nanotubes aerogel and its application in adsorption of arsenic species. J Colloid Interface Sci 505:105–114

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gan Y, Wang Y, Duan Y, Deng Y, Guo X, Ding X (2014) Hydrogeochemistry and arsenic contamination of groundwater in the Jianghan Plain, central China. J Geochemical Explor 138:81–93

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grosvenor AP, Kobe BA, Biesinger MC, McIntyre NS (2004) Investigation of multiplet splitting of Fe 2p XPS spectra and bonding in iron compounds. Surf Interface Anal An Int J Devoted Dev Appl Tech Anal Surfaces Interfaces Thin Film 36:1564–1574

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hao L, Liu M, Wang N, Li G (2018) A critical review on arsenic removal from water using iron-based adsorbents. RSC Adv 8:39545–39560

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hlongwane GN, Sekoai PT, Meyyappan M, Moothi K (2019) Simultaneous removal of pollutants from water using nanoparticles: a shift from single pollutant control to multiple pollutant control. Sci Total Environ 656:808–833

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hu X, Ding Z, Zimmerman AR, Wang S, Gao B (2015) Batch and column sorption of arsenic onto iron-impregnated biochar synthesized through hydrolysis. Water Res 68:206–216

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan ZH, Gao M, Qiu W, Islam MS, Song Z (2020) Mechanisms for cadmium adsorption by magnetic biochar composites in an aqueous solution. Chemosphere 246:125701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125701

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar ASK, Jiang S-J (2017) Synthesis of magnetically separable and recyclable magnetic nanoparticles decorated with β-cyclodextrin functionalized graphene oxide an excellent adsorption of As (V)/(III). J Mol Liq 237:387–401

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kyzas GZ, Matis KA (2015) Nanoadsorbents for pollutants removal: a review. J Mol Liq 203:159–168

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li R, Wang JJ, Zhou B, Awasthi MK, Ali A, Zhang Z, Lahori AH, Mahar A (2016) Recovery of phosphate from aqueous solution by magnesium oxide decorated magnetic biochar and its potential as phosphate-based fertilizer substitute. Bioresour Technol 215:209–214

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu X, Zhang G, Lin L, Khan ZH, Qiu W, Song Z (2018) Synthesis and characterization of novel Fe-Mn-Ce ternary oxide-biochar composites as highly efficient adsorbents for as (III) removal from aqueous solutions. Materials (Basel) 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma11122445

  • Lorenc-Grabowska E, Gryglewicz G (2005) Adsorption of lignite-derived humic acids on coal-based mesoporous activated carbons. J Colloid Interface Sci 284:416–423

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Melo LCA, Coscione AR, Abreu CA, Puga AP, Camargo OA (2013) Influence of pyrolysis temperature on cadmium and zinc sorption capacity of sugar cane straw–derived biochar. BioResources 8:4992–5004

    Google Scholar 

  • Mertens J, Rose J, Kägi R, Chaurand P, Plötze M, Wehrli B, Furrer G (2012) Adsorption of arsenic on polyaluminum granulate. Environ Sci Technol 46:7310–7317

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohan D, Pittman CU Jr, Bricka M, Smith F, Yancey B, Mohammad J, Steele PH, Alexandre-Franco MF, Gómez-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. J Colloid Interface Sci 310:57–73

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohan D, Kumar H, Sarswat A, Alexandre-Franco M, Pittman CU Jr (2014) Cadmium and lead remediation using magnetic oak wood and oak bark fast pyrolysis bio-chars. Chem Eng J 236:513–528

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Navarathna CM, Karunanayake AG, Gunatilake SR, Pittman CU Jr, Perez F, Mohan D, Mlsna T (2019) Removal of arsenic (III) from water using magnetite precipitated onto Douglas fir biochar. J Environ Manag 250:109429

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Navarathna CM, Dewage NB, Karunanayake AG, Farmer EL, Perez F, Mlsna TE, Pittman CU (2020) Rhodamine B adsorptive removal and photocatalytic degradation on MIL-53-Fe MOF/magnetic magnetite/biochar composites. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater 30:214–229

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Niazi NK, Bibi I, Shahid M, Ok YS, Shaheen SM, Rinklebe J, Wang H, Murtaza B, Islam E, Nawaz MF (2018) Arsenic removal by Japanese oak wood biochar in aqueous solutions and well water: investigating arsenic fate using integrated spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Sci Total Environ 621:1642–1651

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pan S, Zhang Y, Shen H, Hu M (2012) An intensive study on the magnetic effect of mercapto-functionalized nano-magnetic Fe3O4 polymers and their adsorption mechanism for the removal of Hg (II) from aqueous solution. Chem Eng J 210:564–574

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peiris C, Nayanathara O, Navarathna CM, Jayawardhana Y, Nawalage S, Burk G, Karunanayake AG, Madduri SB, Vithanage M, Kaumal MN (2019) The influence of three acid modifications on the physicochemical characteristics of tea-waste biochar pyrolyzed at different temperatures: a comparative study. RSC Adv 9:17612–17622

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qi Z, Joshi TP, Liu R, Li Y, Liu H, Qu J (2018) Adsorption combined with superconducting high gradient magnetic separation technique used for removal of arsenic and antimony. J Hazard Mater 343:36–48

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy DHK, Lee S-M (2013) Three-dimensional porous spinel ferrite as an adsorbent for Pb (II) removal from aqueous solutions. Ind Eng Chem Res 52:15789–15800

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy KR, Hassan M, Gomes VG (2015) Hybrid nanostructures based on titanium dioxide for enhanced photocatalysis. Appl Catal A Gen 489:1–16

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Samsuri AW, Sadegh-Zadeh F, Seh-Bardan BJ (2013) Adsorption of As (III) and As (V) by Fe coated biochars and biochars produced from empty fruit bunch and rice husk. J Environ Chem Eng 1:981–988

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shehzad K, Xie C, He J, Cai X, Xu W, Liu J (2018) Facile synthesis of novel calcined magnetic orange peel composites for efficient removal of arsenite through simultaneous oxidation and adsorption. J Colloid Interface Sci 511:155–164

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Song Z, Lian F, Yu Z, Zhu L, Xing B, Qiu W (2014) Synthesis and characterization of a novel MnOx-loaded biochar and its adsorption properties for Cu2+ in aqueous solution. Chem Eng J 242:36–42

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van Vinh N, Zafar M, Behera SK, Park H-S (2015) Arsenic (III) removal from aqueous solution by raw and zinc-loaded pine cone biochar: equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics studies. Int J Environ Sci Technol 12:1283–1294

    Google Scholar 

  • Vithanage M, Herath I, Joseph S, Bundschuh J, Bolan N, Ok YS, Kirkham MB, Rinklebe J (2017) Interaction of arsenic with biochar in soil and water: a critical review. Carbon N Y 113:219–230

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Y, Sun H, Ang HM, Tadé MO, Wang S (2014) Magnetic Fe3O4/carbon sphere/cobalt composites for catalytic oxidation of phenol solutions with sulfate radicals. Chem Eng J 245:1–9

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang S, Gao B, Zimmerman AR, Li Y, Ma L, Harris WG, Migliaccio KW (2015) Removal of arsenic by magnetic biochar prepared from pinewood and natural hematite. Bioresour Technol 175:391–395

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wathudura PD, Peiris C, Navarathna CM, Mlsna TE, Kaumal MN, Vithanage M, Gunatilake SR (2020) Microwave and open vessel digestion methods for biochar. Chemosphere 239:124788

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehouse BG (1984) The effects of temperature and salinity on the aqueous solubility of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Mar Chem 14:319–332

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2011) Guidelines for drinking-water quality. WHO Chron 38:104–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu J, Yi Y, Li Y, Fang Z, Tsang EP (2016) Excellently reactive Ni/Fe bimetallic catalyst supported by biochar for the remediation of decabromodiphenyl contaminated soil: reactivity, mechanism, pathways and reducing secondary risks. J Hazard Mater 320:341–349

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu H, Feng Q, Yang H, Alam E, Gao B, Gu D (2017) Modified biochar supported Ag/Fe nanoparticles used for removal of cephalexin in solution: characterization, kinetics and mechanisms. Colloids Surfaces A Physicochem Eng Asp 517:63–71

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu J, Huang D, Liu X, Meng J, Tang C, Xu J (2018) Remediation of As (III) and Cd (II) co-contamination and its mechanism in aqueous systems by a novel calcium-based magnetic biochar. J Hazard Mater 348:10–19

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang M, Gao B, Varnoosfaderani S, Hebard A, Yao Y, Inyang M (2013) Preparation and characterization of a novel magnetic biochar for arsenic removal. Bioresour Technol 130:457–462

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Qin X, Tang J, Liu W, Yang H (2017) Review of arsenic geochemical characteristics and its significance on arsenic pollution studies in karst groundwater. Southwest China Appl Geochem 77:80–88

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Y-F, Haynes RJ (2011) Removal of Pb (II), Cr (III) and Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions using alum-derived water treatment sludge. Water Air Soil Pollut 215:631–643

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou J, He J, Li G, Wang T, Sun D, Ding X, Zhao J, Wu S (2010) Direct incorporation of magnetic constituents within ordered mesoporous carbon− silica nanocomposites for highly efficient electromagnetic wave absorbers. J Phys Chem C 114:7611–7617

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Z, Liu Y, Liu S, Liu H, Zeng G, Tan X, Yang C, Ding Y, Yan Z, Cai X (2017) Sorption performance and mechanisms of arsenic (V) removal by magnetic gelatin-modified biochar. Chem Eng J 314:223–231

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (nos. 41771525), STU Scientific Research Foundation for Talents (NTF19025).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Tianjin, 300191, China

    Zulqarnain Haider Khan & Md. Shafiqul Islam

  2. Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China

    Zulqarnain Haider Khan, Muhammad Qaswar & Md. Shafiqul Islam

  3. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China

    Minling Gao & Zhengguo Song

  4. The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand

    Weiwen Qiu

  5. National Engineering Laboratory for Improving Quality of Arable Land, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Beijing, China

    Muhammad Qaswar

Authors
  1. Zulqarnain Haider Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Minling Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Weiwen Qiu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Muhammad Qaswar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Md. Shafiqul Islam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Zhengguo Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhengguo Song.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Zhihong Xu

Publisher’s note

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

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 9984 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Khan, Z.H., Gao, M., Qiu, W. et al. The sorbed mechanisms of engineering magnetic biochar composites on arsenic in aqueous solution. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 41361–41371 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10082-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10082-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation