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An efficient and simple approach to remove Cd(II) in aqueous solution by using rice straw biochar: performance and mechanisms

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Abstract

In recent years, cadmium pollution in water environment has become an environmental problem that could not be ignored. As a porous carbon rich solid material, biochar is an environment-friendly new material because of its ultra-high adsorption capacity and strong chemical stability. In this study, rice straw biochar (RS-Biochar) was successfully prepared at different temperatures for removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution. Through a series of characterization and adsorption experiments, the adsorption principle of Cd(II) by RS-Biochar was deeply studied. The results showed that RS-Biochar prepared at 600 °C (BioC600) has high specific surface area (232.6 m2/g) and shows high Cd(II) removal rate of 91.23% with the maximum Cd(II) adsorption capacity of 8.62 mg/g. The Langmuir model fit well to describe the adsorption process of Cd(II) on the BioC600. The mechanism analysis showed that hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the biochar surface were concerned in the removal of Cd(II). The formation of CdCO3 in the adsorption process was also be proven. Importantly, RS-Biochar could be conveniently produced with needed scale, displaying a promising approach for remediating Cd(II)-contaminated water environment and a huge application potential.

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Data Availability

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

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51908233) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (41907124).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, 435002, Hubei, China

    Qiao Xiong, Yinqiu Li, Chaohua Hou, Xiao Ma, Xiangjun Zhou & Xiangru Zuo

  2. Huangshi Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control of Soil Pollution (Hubei Normal University), Huangshi, 435002, Hubei, China

    Qiao Xiong, Yinqiu Li & Chaohua Hou

  3. State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Soil Health and Green Remediation, College of Resource and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China

    Chang Chen

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  1. Qiao Xiong
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  2. Yinqiu Li
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  3. Chaohua Hou
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  4. Xiao Ma
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  5. Xiangjun Zhou
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Contributions

Qiao Xiong: methodology, formal analysis, software, investigation, writing — original draft. Yinqiu Li: investigation. Chaohua Hou: investigation. Xiao Ma: software, validation. Xiangjun Zhou: software, validation. Xiangru Zuo: supervision. Chang Chen: writing — review and editing.

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Correspondence to Chang Chen.

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Xiong, Q., Li, Y., Hou, C. et al. An efficient and simple approach to remove Cd(II) in aqueous solution by using rice straw biochar: performance and mechanisms. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 16782–16794 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32222-3

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