Abstract
This study introduces a cost-effective approach to fabricating a porous and ionically surface-modified biochar-based alginate polymer networks composite (SBPC) through air drying. The study critically analyzes the role and concentrations of various components in the success of SBPC. Characterization techniques were employed to evaluate the microstructure and adsorption mechanism, confirming the ability of the adsorbent’s carboxyl and hydroxyl groups to eliminate various heavy metal ions in water simultaneously. The SBPC demonstrated high copper binding capacities (937.4 mg/g and 823.2 mg/g) through response surface methodology (RSM) and column studies. It was also influential in single and natural systems, exhibiting competitive behavior and efficient removal of Cu2+. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics strongly correlate with experimental data, with R2 values of 0.98 and 0.99, respectively. SBPC showed remarkable stability, up to 10 desorption cycles, and achieved 98% Cu2+ adsorption efficiency and 91.0% desorption. Finally, the cost analysis showed a cost of 125.68 INR/kg or 1.51 USD/kg, which is very low compared to the literature. These results highlight the potential of SPBC and show that it provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for removing Cu2+ from a real system.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Explore related subjects
Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.Data availability
Not applicable.
References
Ab Hamid NH, Bin Mohd Tahir MI, Chowdhury A, Nordin AH, Alshaikh AA, Suid MA, Nazaruddin NI, Nozaizeli ND, Sharma S, Rushdan AI (2022) The current state-of-art of copper removal from wastewater: a review. Water 14(19):3086. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14193086
Ajmani A, Patra C, Subbiah S, Narayanasamy S (2020) Packed bed column studies of hexavalent chromium adsorption by zinc chloride activated carbon synthesized from Phanera vahlii fruit biomass. J Environ Chem Eng 8(4):103825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2020.103825
Al-Saydeh SA, El-Naas MH, Zaidi SJ (2017) Copper removal from industrial wastewater: a comprehensive review. J Ind Eng Chem 56:35–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiec.2017.07.026
Ambaye TG, Vaccari M, Prasad S et al (2022) Preparation and applications of chitosan and cellulose composite materials. J Environ Manage 301:113850. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JENVMAN.2021.113850
Aziz K, Aziz F, Mamouni R et al (2022) High thiabendazole fungicide uptake using Cellana tramoserica shells modified by copper: characterization, adsorption mechanism, and optimization using CCD-RSM approach. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29:86020–86035. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16340-w
Bansal M, Garg R, Garg VK et al (2022) Sequestration of heavy metal ions from multi-metal simulated wastewater systems using processed agricultural biomass. Chemosphere 296:133966. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2022.133966
Basu M, Guha AK, Ray L (2017) Adsorption of lead on cucumber peel. J Clean Prod 151:603–615. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.03.028
Bezzina JP, Robshaw T, Dawson R, Ogden MD (2020) Single metal isotherm study of the ion exchange removal of Cu(II), Fe(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from synthetic acetic acid leachate. Chem Eng J 394:124862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.124862
Biswas S, Meikap BC, Sen TK (2019) Adsorptive removal of aqueous phase copper (Cu2+) and nickel (Ni2+) metal ions by synthesized biochar–biopolymeric hybrid adsorbents and process optimization by response surface methodology (RSM). Water Air Soil Pollut 230:197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-019-4258-y
Cai T, Liu X, Zhang J et al (2021) Silicate-modified oiltea camellia shell-derived biochar: a novel and cost-effective sorbent for cadmium removal. J Clean Prod 281:125390. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2020.125390
Chakraborty P, Sarkar S, Das P et al (2023) Synthesis and application of biochar-incorporated sodium alginate- kaolin hydrogel beads to remove naphthalene from waste water. Biomass Convers Biorefinery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04944-w
Cheng C, Guo Q, Ding L et al (2022) Upgradation of coconut waste shell to value-added hydrochar via hydrothermal carbonization: parametric optimization using response surface methodology. Appl Energy 327:120136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.120136
Chiew CSC, Yeoh HK, Pasbakhsh P et al (2016) Stability and reusability of alginate-based adsorbents for repetitive lead (II) removal. Polym Degrad Stab 123:146–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2015.11.022
Chun Y, Kim KR, Kim HR et al (2022) Mechanical improvement of biochar-alginate composite by using melamine sponge as support and application to Cu(II) removal. J Polym Environ 30:2037–2049. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-021-02333-w
Costa WD, da Silva Bento AM, de Araújo JAS et al (2020) Removal of copper(II) ions and lead(II) from aqueous solutions using seeds of Azadirachta indica A. Juss as Bioadsorvent Environ Res 183:109213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109213
Darweesh MA, Elgendy MY, Ayad MI et al (2022) Adsorption isotherm, kinetic, and optimization studies for copper (II) removal from aqueous solutions by banana leaves and derived activated carbon. South African J Chem Eng 40:10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajce.2022.01.002
De D, Santosha S, Aniya V et al (2018) Assessing the applicability of an agro-industrial waste to engineered bio-char as a dynamic adsorbent for fluoride sorption. J Environ Chem Eng 6:2998–3009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2018.04.021
Elboughdiri N, Ferkous H, Rouibah K et al (2024) Comprehensive investigation of Cu2+ adsorption from wastewater using olive-waste-derived adsorbents: experimental and molecular insights. Int J Mol Sci 25(2):1028. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021028
Elmouwahidi A, Bailón-García E, Pérez-Cadenas AF et al (2017) Activated carbons from KOH and H3PO4-activation of olive residues and its application as supercapacitor electrodes. Electrochim Acta 229:219–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ELECTACTA.2017.01.152
Elwakeel KZ, Ahmed MM, Akhdhar A et al (2022) Recent advances in alginate-based adsorbents for heavy metal retention from water: a review. Desalin Water Treat 272:50–74. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2022.28834
Esfandiar N, Suri R, McKenzie ER (2022) Competitive sorption of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn from stormwater runoff by five low-cost sorbents; effects of co-contaminants, humic acid, salinity and pH. J Hazard Mater 423:126938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126938
Fan X, Wang X, Cai Y et al (2022) Functionalized cotton charcoal/chitosan biomass-based hydrogel for capturing Pb2+, Cu2+ and MB. J Hazard Mater 423:127191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127191
Fang H, Zeng D, Chen S, Ye X (2023) Unlocking sustainable solutions: controlled Cu2+ dosing enables efficient recovery and reuse of high-purity copper pyrophosphate from electroplating wastewater. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 30:119893–119902. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-30699-y
Fila D, Hubicki Z, Kołodyńska D (2022) Applicability of new sustainable and efficient alginate-based composites for critical raw materials recovery: general composites fabrication optimization and adsorption performance evaluation. Chem Eng J 446:137245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.137245
Fotsing PN, Woumfo ED, Măicăneanu SA et al (2020) Removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution using a composite made from cocoa cortex and sodium alginate. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27:8451–8466. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-07206-3
Gunti H, Kandukuri DJ, kumari A et al (2020) A non-edible waste as a potential sorptive media for removal of herbicide from the watershed. J Hazard Mater 390:121671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121671
Gupta S, Sireesha S, Sreedhar I et al (2020) Latest trends in heavy metal removal from wastewater by biochar based sorbents. J Water Process Eng 38:101561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101561
Hassan M, Deb AK, Qi F et al (2021) Magnetically separable mesoporous alginate polymer beads assist adequate removal of aqueous methylene blue over broad solution pH. J Clean Prod 319:128694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128694
Hassan M, Naidu R, Du J et al (2022) Magnetic responsive mesoporous alginate/β-cyclodextrin polymer beads enhance selectivity and adsorption of heavy metal ions. Int J Biol Macromol 207:826–840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.03.159
Huang Y, Wang B, Lv J et al (2022) Facile synthesis of sodium lignosulfonate/polyethyleneimine/sodium alginate beads with ultra-high adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) removal from water. J Hazard Mater 436:129270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129270
Ibrahim Z, Koubaissy B, Mohsen Y et al (2018) Adsorption of pyridine onto activated montmorillonite clays: effect factors, adsorption behavior and mechanism study. Am J Anal Chem 09:464–481. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajac.2018.910035
James A, Yadav D (2021) Valorization of coconut waste for facile treatment of contaminated water: a comprehensive review (2010–2021). Environ Technol Innov 24:102075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2021.102075
Javed R, Shah LA, Sayed M, Khan MS (2018) Uptake of heavy metal ions from aqueous media by hydrogels and their conversion to nanoparticles for generation of a catalyst system: two-fold application study. RSC Adv 8:14787–14797. https://doi.org/10.1039/c8ra00578h
Karadeniz F, Güzel F (2022) Adsorptive performance of Melia Azedarach fruit - derived biochar in removing methylene blue, diclofenac, and copper ( II ) from aqueous solution. Biomass Convers Biorefinery 13:2429–2447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-02864-9
Khadir A, Motamedi M, Negarestani M et al (2020) Preparation of a nano bio-composite based on cellulosic biomass and conducting polymeric nanoparticles for ibuprofen removal: kinetics, isotherms, and energy site distribution. Int J Biol Macromol 162:663–677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.06.095
Khaleghi H, Jaafarzadeh N, Esmaeili H, Ramavandi B (2023) Alginate@Fe3O4@Bentonite nanocomposite for formaldehyde removal from synthetic and real effluent: optimization by central composite design. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30:29566–29580. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24189-w
Khandgave SS, Sreedhar I (2022) A mini-review on engineered biochars as emerging adsorbents in heavy metal removal. Mater Today Proc 72:1926. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATPR.2022.05.367
Khelifi O, Affoune AM, Nacef M et al (2022) Response surface modeling and optimization of Ni(II) and Cu(II) Ions competitive adsorption capacity by sewage sludge activated carbon. Arab J Sci Eng 47:5797–5809. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-021-05534-6
Li Q, Wang Y, Chang Z et al (2024) Progress in the treatment of copper(II)-containing wastewater and wastewater treatment systems based on combined technologies: a review. J Water Process Eng 58:104746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104746
Li S, Yang S, Chen L et al (2023) Pore size adjustment of sodium alginate-based composite aerogel spheres by zirconia for efficient selective removal of Cu(II). Chem Eng J 464:142547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.142547
Li SS, Song YL, Yang HR et al (2020) Modifying alginate beads using polycarboxyl component for enhanced metal ions removal. Int J Biol Macromol 158:493–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.05.038
Liu Y, Wang H, Cui Y, Chen N (2023) Removal of copper ions from wastewater: a review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 20(5):3885. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20053885
Manne R, Kumaradoss MMRM, Iska RSR et al (2022) Water quality and risk assessment of copper content in drinking water stored in copper container. Appl Water Sci 12:27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01542-x
Menya E, Olupot PW, Storz H et al (2018) Production and performance of activated carbon from rice husks for removal of natural organic matter from water: a review. Chem Eng Res Des 129:271–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHERD.2017.11.008
Meringer A, Liffourrena AS, Heredia RM et al (2021) Removal of copper and/or zinc ions from synthetic solutions by immobilized, non-viable bacterial biomass: batch and fixed-bed column lab-scale study. J Biotechnol 328:87–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiotec.2021.01.011
Mondal S, Majumder SK (2019) Honeycomb-like porous activated carbon for efficient copper (II) adsorption synthesized from natural source: kinetic study and equilibrium isotherm analysis. J Environ Chem Eng 7(4):103236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2019.103236
Nadeem U, Datta M (2014) Adsorption Studies of Zinc(Ii) Ions on biopolymer composite beads of alginate-fly ash. Chem Bull 3:682–691. https://doi.org/10.17628/ECB.2014.3.682
Ning Z, Xu B, Zhong W et al (2022) Preparation of phosphoric acid modified antibiotic mycelial residues biochar: loading of nano zero-valent iron and promotion on biogas production. Bioresour Technol 348:126801. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2022.126801
Ohemeng-Boahen G, Sewu DD, Woo SH (2019) Preparation and characterization of alginate-kelp biochar composite hydrogel bead for dye removal. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26:33030–33042. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06421-2
Pan Y, Shi X, Cai P et al (2018) Dye removal from single and binary systems using gel-like bioadsorbent based on functional-modified cellulose. Cellulose 25:2559–2575. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1711-9
Park S, Lee JW, Kim JE et al (2022) Adsorptive Behavior of Cu2+ and benzene in single and binary solutions onto alginate composite hydrogel beads containing pitch pine-based biochar. Polymers (basel) 14(17):3468. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14173468
Pawar RR, Lalhmunsiama IPG, Lee SM (2020) Use of activated bentonite-alginate composite beads for efficient removal of toxic Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions from aquatic environment. Int J Biol Macromol 164:3145–3154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.08.130
Quiton KGN, Huang YH, Lu MC (2022) Recovery of cobalt and copper from single- and co-contaminated simulated electroplating wastewater via carbonate and hydroxide precipitation. Sustain Environ Res 32:31. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42834-022-00140-z
Quyen V thi, Pham TH, Kim J et al (2021) Biosorbent derived from coffee husk for efficient removal of toxic heavy metals from wastewater. Chemosphere 284:131312. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2021.131312
Şahan T (2019) Application of RSM for Pb(II) and Cu(II) adsorption by bentonite enriched with [sbnd]SH groups and a binary system study. J Water Process Eng 31:100867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2019.100867
Salem DB, Ouakouak A, Touahra F et al (2023) Easy separable, floatable, and recyclable magnetic-biochar/alginate bead as super-adsorbent for adsorbing copper ions in water media. Bioresour Technol 383:129225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129225
Sireesha S, Agarwal A, Sopanrao KS et al (2022) Modified coal fly ash as a low-cost, efficient, green, and stable adsorbent for heavy metal removal from aqueous solution. Biomass Convers Biorefinery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-022-02695-8
Sireesha S, Sreedhar I (2023) Holistic and parametric optimization study on Cr(VI) removal using acid-treated coco peat biochar adsorbent. Bioresour Technol Reports 22:101486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2023.101486
Sopanrao KS, Gupta S, Sireesha S et al (2023) Enhanced removal of Cu(II) and Ni(II) using MnOx-modified non-edible biochar: synthesis, characterization, optimization, thermo-kinetics, and regeneration. Biomass Convers Biorefinery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-04411-6
Sopanrao KS, Sreedhar I (2024) Polyvinyl alcohol modified chitosan composite as a novel and efficient adsorbent for multi-metal removal. Sep Purif Technol 340:126731. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2024.126731
Sophie Beulah S (2022) Removal of copper from wastewater. Int J Chem Stud 10(2):137–140
Subramanya M (2021) Electrowinning of copper from industrial waste streams. Int J Eng Res Technol 10(8):122–131
Tao HC, Li S, Zhang LJ et al (2019) Magnetic chitosan/sodium alginate gel bead as a novel composite adsorbent for Cu(II) removal from aqueous solution. Environ Geochem Health 41:297–308. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-018-0137-5
Tariq M, Farooq U, Athar M et al (2019) Fluoride removal using simple protonated and xanthate modified protonated ficus religiosa branch powder in a fixed-bed column. Desalin Water Treat 150:204–212. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2019.23603
Thakur AK, Kumar M (2021) Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering Efficacy of Green Alginate Beads for Multi-Metal Removal from Aqueous Solution. 3:100100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2021.100100
Thangagiri B, Sakthivel A, Jeyasubramanian K et al (2022) Removal of hexavalent chromium by biochar derived from Azadirachta indica leaves: batch and column studies. Chemosphere 286:131598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131598
Trikkaliotis DG, Christoforidis AK, Mitropoulos AC, Kyzas GZ (2020) Adsorption of copper ions onto chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) beads functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol). Carbohydr Polym 234:115890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.115890
Upadhyay U, Sireesha S, Gupta S et al (2023) Freeze v/s air-dried alginate-pectin gel beads modified with sodium dodecyl sulphate for enhanced removal of copper ions. Carbohydr Polym 301:120294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120294
Vieira RS, Oliveira MLM, Guibal E et al (2011) Copper, mercury and chromium adsorption on natural and crosslinked chitosan films: an XPS investigation of mechanism. Colloids Surfaces A Physicochem Eng Asp 374(1–3):108–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2010.11.022
Wang R, Li Y, Shuai X et al (2021) Pectin / activated carbon-based porous microsphere for Pb 2 + adsorption : characterization and adsorption behaviour. Poly 13(15):2453. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13152453
Wang R, Liang R, Dai T et al (2019) Pectin-based adsorbents for heavy metal ions: a review. Trends Food Sci Technol 91:319–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TIFS.2019.07.033
Wei J, Tu C, Yuan G et al (2019) Assessing the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the molecular properties and copper sorption capacity of a halophyte biochar. Environ Pollut 251:56–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.128
Yahya MD, Abubakar H, Obayomi KS et al (2020) Simultaneous and continuous biosorption of Cr and Cu (II) ions from industrial tannery effluent using almond shell in a fixed bed column. Results Eng 6:100113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2020.100113
Zaferani SPG, Emami MRS, Amiri MK, Binaeian E (2019) Optimization of the removal Pb (II) and its Gibbs free energy by thiosemicarbazide modified chitosan using RSM and ANN modeling. Int J Biol Macromol 139:307–319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.07.208
Zhang H, Omer AM, Hu Z et al (2019a) Fabrication of magnetic bentonite/carboxymethyl chitosan/sodium alginate hydrogel beads for Cu (II)adsorption. Int J Biol Macromol 135:490–500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.05.185
Zhang L, Li Q, Zhu J et al (2023) H2O2 modified peanut shell-derived biochar/alginate composite beads as a green adsorbent for removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution. Int J Biol Macromol 240:124466. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124466
Zhang W, Ou J, Wang B et al (2021) Efficient heavy metal removal from water by alginate-based porous nanocomposite hydrogels: the enhanced removal mechanism and influencing factor insight. J Hazard Mater 418:126358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126358
Zhang W, Song J, He Q et al (2020) Novel pectin based composite hydrogel derived from grapefruit peel for enhanced Cu(II) removal. J Hazard Mater 384:121445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121445
Zhang W, Wang H, Hu X et al (2019b) Multicavity triethylenetetramine-chitosan/alginate composite beads for enhanced Cr(VI) removal. J Clean Prod 231:733–745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.05.219
Zhou F, Feng X, Yu J, Jiang X (2018) High performance of 3D porous graphene/lignin/sodium alginate composite for adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II). Environ Sci Pollut Res 25:15651–15661. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1733-8
Zong Y, Wang X, Zhang H et al (2023) Preparation of a ternary composite based on water caltrop shell derived biochar and gelatin/alginate for cadmium removal from contaminated water: performances assessment and mechanism insight. Int J Biol Macromol 234:123637. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123637
Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to HBL Power Systems Ltd., Hyderabad, India for their financial support. The authors also extend their appreciation to BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus for facilitating this project.
To be represented in International Conference on Energy Transition: Challenges and Opportunities at Chemical Engineering Congress (CHEMCON-2023) – On the occasion of Platinum Jubilee Year of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineer December 27 to December 30, 2023, in association with Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, Jais, Jadavpur University and Heritage Institute of Technology. (Organizing Chairman: Prof. A. S. K. Sinha, Director, RGIPT).
Funding
Sources of funding declared- CSIR under the scheme 22(0783)/19/EMR-II. Recipient: I. Sreedhar.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Sadamanti Sireesha: investigation, data curation, methodology, analysis, characterization of samples, and writing the original draft. I. Sreedhar: project mentoring and monitoring.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval
Not applicable.
Consent to participate
Not applicable.
Consent for publication
Not applicable.
Competing interest
We, the authors hereby declare that there is no conflict of interest associated with this work and we adhered to all the guidelines of the journal.
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Tito Roberto Cadaval Jr
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.
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.
About this article
Cite this article
Sireesha, S., Sreedhar, I. Unleashing the potential of Cajanus cajun biochar polymer composite for Cu (II) removal: mechanism, modification, and application. Environ Sci Pollut Res (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33551-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33551-z