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Remediation potential of biochar/copper oxide nanoparticles composite for lead- and cadmium-contaminated wastewater

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Abstract

This study evaluates the batch scale performance of Sesbania bispinosa biochar (SBBC) and its nanocomposite with copper oxide nanoparticles (SBBC/CuO) to remove lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from synthetic wastewater and groundwater. Point of zero charge (PZC), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were conducted to gain insight into the removal process. The batch scale experiment assessed the effects of initial concentrations of Pb and Cd (25–200 mg/L), solution pH (3–9), adsorbent dose (0.5–2.0 g/L) and interaction time (15–180 min) to remove Pb and Cd from synthetic wastewater. The highest removal of Pb (98.7%) and Cd (95.5%) was observed at 25 mg/L, optimum pH (5), time (60 min), and material dose (1.0 g/L). However, increasing the initial level of Cd and Pb decreased their removal from contaminated water. The SBBC/CuO showed excellent reusability for Cd and Pb with 4.3% and 5.1% decline, respectively, after four adsorption/desorption cycles. The adsorption of Pb and Cd onto SBBC/CuO composite was found to be 191.5 mg/g and 186.9 mg/g, respectively; signifying improved performance compared to SBBC adsorbent alone. The presence of other cations in groundwater competes with Cd and Pb and hence there is a decline in Cd and Pb removal depending on the concentrations of these competing cations. The fitting behavior of equilibrium experimental adsorption varied depending on the adsorbent material and Cd/Pb, while kinetic adsorption showed best fit with pseudo-second-order kinetic for both Cd and Pb adsorption. The results suggested that SBBC combined with nanoparticles is a promising adsorbent for metal removal from contaminated water.

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Funding

The authors are thankful to Higher Education Commision (HEC) of Pakistan for funding under grand number 10377/Federal/ NRPU.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari-Campus, Vehari, 61100, Pakistan

    Muhammad Imran, Liaqat Ali, Muhammad Wakeel, Behzad Murtaza & Muhammad Shahid

  2. Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies (CIDS), The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan

    Liaqat Ali

  3. Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Muhammad Hussnain Siddique

  4. Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad, Park Road, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan

    Zia Ul Haq Khan

  5. College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Zayed University, P.O. Box 144534, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Jibran Iqbal

  6. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Abdullah A. Al-Kahtani

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  1. Muhammad Imran
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  2. Liaqat Ali
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  3. Liaqat Ali
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Contributions

MI: supervised research study, conceptualization, coordination, sampling, writing, and editing. LA: conducted research work, initial draft writing. LA: co-corresponding author, conceptualization, writing, and editing. MW: conceptualization, writing, and editing. MHS: conceptualization, writing, and editing. ZUHK: co-supervision, conceptualization, reviewing, writing, and editing. BM: co-supervision, sampling, conceptualization, writing, and editing. JI: conceptualization, reviewing, writing, and editing. AAAl-K: conceptualization, writing, reviewing, and editing. MS: correspondence, co-supervision, reviewing, conceptualization, writing, and editing.

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Correspondence to Liaqat Ali or Muhammad Shahid.

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Imran, M., Ali, L., Ali, L. et al. Remediation potential of biochar/copper oxide nanoparticles composite for lead- and cadmium-contaminated wastewater. Environ Earth Sci 82, 574 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-11147-z

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