Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Biochar colloids and their use in contaminants removal

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Biochar Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, we report on the extraction, characterization, and potential applications of colloidal biochar derived from pyrolyzed wood—an untapped source of carbonaceous particles. A series of characterizations was performed on biochar colloids to unravel their colloidal properties and surface chemistry through which it was found that they have a net negative charge and are stable between pH 3 and 10. Moreover, our initial toxicity tests showed that biochar colloids themselves are not toxic and they can be used in remediation applications, which led us to investigate (1) their copper sorption, a model inorganic contaminant, in a scenario that biochar colloids are released into the environment and (2) their potential use in organic pollutants adsorption and degradation. Copper sorption studies showed that biochar colloids have a copper sorption capacity as high as 22 mg \(\hbox {g}^{-1}\) in sub-ppm copper solutions. This increased the acute 48 h lethal concentration (\(\hbox {LC}_{50}\)) of copper for Daphnia magna by 21 ppb, which is comparable to the previously reported effect by dissolved organic matter. Adsorption and degradation of methylene blue (MB), an often-used proxy for organic contaminants in water, were studied by coupling the biochar colloids to positively charged \(\hbox {TiO}_{2}\) nanoparticles and using it as a photocatalyst. The hybrid MB photodegradation efficiency was \(21\%\) higher than that of \(\hbox {TiO}_{2}\) nanoparticles alone. Enhancement of demethylation is proposed as the main degradation mechanism of MB, as confirmed by liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy (LC/MS), and the positive impact of biochar colloids is ascribed to their abundant adsorption sites, which may facilitate MB adsorption and its photocatalytic degradation.

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
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmad M, Rajapaksha AU, Lim JE, Zhang M, Bolan N, Mohan D, Vithanage M, Lee SS, Ok YS (2014) Biochar as a sorbent for contaminant management in soil and water: a review. Chemosphere 99:19–33

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alam MS, Gorman-Lewis D, Chen N, Flynn SL, Ok YS, Konhauser KO, Alessi DS (2018a) Thermodynamic analysis of nickel(ii) and zinc(ii) adsorption to biochar. Environ Sci Technol 52(11):6246–6255

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alam MS, Swaren L, von Gunten K, Cossio M, Bishop B, Robbins LJ, Hou D, Flynn SL, Ok YS, Konhauser KO, Alessi DS (2018b) Application of surface complexation modeling to trace metals uptake by biochar-amended agricultural soils. Appl Geochem 88(Part A):103–112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Albanese KA, Lanno RP, Hadad CM, Chin Y-P (2017) Photolysis- and dissolved organic matter-induced toxicity of triclocarban to daphnia magna. Environ Sci Technol Lett 4:457–462

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blewett TA, Dow EM, Wood CM, McGeer JC, Smith DS (2018) The role of dissolved organic carbon concentration and composition on nickel toxicity to early life-stages of the blue mussel mytilus edulis and purple sea urchin strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Ecotoxico. Environ Saf 160:162–170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boudart M (1956) Kinetics on ideal and real surfaces. A I Ch E J 1:62–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai X, Li J, Liu Y, Yan Z, Tan X, Liu S, Zeng G, Gu Y, Hu X, Jiang L (2017) Titanium dioxide-coated biochar composites as adsorptive and photocatalytic degradation materials for the removal of aqueous organic pollutants. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 93(3):783–791

    Google Scholar 

  • Cao Y, Xiao W, Shen G, Ji G, Zhang Y, Gao C, Han L (2019) Carbonization and ball milling on the enhancement of pb(ii) adsorption by wheat straw: Competitive effects of ion exchange and precipitation. Bioresour Technol 273:70–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen M, Wang D, Yang F, Xu X, Xu N, Cao X (2017) Transport and retention of biochar nanoparticles in a paddy soil under environmentally-relevant solution chemistry conditions. Environ Pollut 230:540–549

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen M, Wang D, Yang F, Xu X, Xu N, Cao X (2018) Contrasting effects of biochar nanoparticles on the retention and transport of phosphorus in acidic and alkaline soils. Environ Pollut 239:562–570

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Chen G, Chen L, Chen Y, Lehmann J, McBride MB, Hay AG (2011) Adsorption of copper and zinc by biochars produced from pyrolysis of hardwood and corn straw in aqueous solution. Bioresour Technol 102(19):8877–8884

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colmenares JC, Varma RS, Lisowski P (2016) Sustainable hybrid photocatalysts: titania immobilized on carbon materials derived from renewable and biodegradable resources. Green Chem 18:5736–5750

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colthup NB, Daly LH, Wiberley SE (1990) Introduction to infrared and raman spectroscopy (third edition). Academic Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong X, He L, Hu H, Liu N, Gao S, Piao Y (2018) Removal of \(17\beta\)-estradiol by using highly adsorptive magnetic biochar nanoparticles from aqueous solution. Chem Eng J 352:371–379

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fang G, Liu C, Wang Y, Dionysiou DD, Zhou D (2017) Photogeneration of reactive oxygen species from biochar suspension for diethyl phthalate degradation. Appl Catal B 214:34–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari AC, Robertson J (2000) Interpretation of raman spectra of disordered and amorphous carbon. Phys Rev B 61(20):14095–14107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu H, Liu H, Mao J, Chu W, Li Q, Alvarez PJJ, Qu X, Zhu D (2016) Photochemistry of dissolved black carbon released from biochar: Reactive oxygen species generation and phototransformation. Environ Sci Technol 50:1218–1226

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghaffar A, Zhu X, Chen B (2018) Biochar composite membrane for high performance pollutant management: Fabrication, structural characteristics and synergistic mechanisms. Environ Pollut 233:1013–1023

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He P, Yu Q, Zhang H, Shao L, Lu F (2018) Removal of copper (ii) by biochar mediated by dissolved organic matter. Sci Rep 7:7091

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ho Y-S, McKay G (1999) Pseudo-second order model for sorption processes. Process Biochem 34(5):451–465

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ho Y-S, Porter JF, McKay G (2002) Equilibrium isotherm studies for the sorption of divalent metal ions onto peat: copper, nickel and lead single component systems. Water Air Soil Pollut 141(1):1–33

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hunter RJ (1981) Zeta potential in colloid science. Academic Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Leary R, Westwood A (2011) Carbonaceous nanomaterials for the enhancement of \(\text{TiO}_{2}\) photocatalyis. Carbon 49(3):741–772

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li L, Zhang K, Chen L, Huang Z, Liu G, Li M, Wen Y (2017a) Mass preparation of micro/nano-powders of biochar with water-dispersibility and their potential application. New J Chem 41:9649–9657

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Liu Q, Lou Z, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Qian G (2014) Method to characterize acid-base behavior of biochar: site modeling and theoretical simulation. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 2(11):2501–2509

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li M, Zhang A, Wua H, Liu H, Lv J (2017b) Predicting potential release of dissolved organic matter from biocharsderived from agricultural residues using fluorescence and ultravioletabsorbance. J Hazard Mater 334:86–92

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li X, Yu J, Wageh S, Al-Ghamdi AA, Xie J (2016) Graphene in photocatalysis: a review. Small 12(48):6640–6696

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Sun S, Ma M, Ouyang Y, WenbinYan (2008) Kinetic study and model of the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine b (rhb) by a \(\text{TiO}_{2}\)-coated activated carbon catalyst: effects of initial rhb content, light intensity and \(\text{TiO}_{2}\) content in the catalyst. Chem Eng J 142(2):147–155

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin C, Song Y, Cao L, Chen S (2013) Effective photocatalysis of functional nanocomposites based on carbon and \(\text{TiO}_2\) nanoparticles. Nanoscale 5(11):4986–4992

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lisowski P, Colmenares JC, Masek O, Lisowski W, Lisovytskiy D, Kaminska A, Lomot D (2017) Dual functionality of \(\text{TiO}_{2}\)/biochar hybrid materials: photocatalytic phenol degradation in the liquid phase and selective oxidation of methanol in the gas phase. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 5(7):6274–6287

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu G, Zheng H, Jiang Z, Zhao J, Wang Z, Pan B, Xing B (2018) Formation and physicochemical characteristics of nano biochar: Insight into chemical and colloidal stability. Environ Sci Technol 52:10369–10379

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lucchese MM, Stavale F, Ferreira EHM, Vilani C, Moutinho MVO, B.Capaz R, Achete CA, Jorio A (2010) Quantifying ion-induced defects and raman relaxation length in graphene. Carbon 48(5):1592–1597

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lyu H, Gao B, Hed F, Zimmerman AR, Ding C, Tang J, Crittenden CJ (2018) Experimental and modeling investigations of ball-milled biochar for the removal of aqueous methylene blue. Chem Eng J 335:110–119

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Manya JJ (2012) Pyrolysis for biochar purposes: a review to establish current knowledge gaps and research needs. Environ Sci Technol 46(15):7939–7954

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mao C-C, Weng H-S (2009) Promoting effect of adding carbon black to tio2 for aqueous photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. Chem Eng J 155(3):744–749

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mattevi C, Eda G, Agnoli S, Miller S, Mkhoyan KA, Celik O, Mastrogiovanni D, Granozzi G, Garfunkel E, Chhowa M (2009) Evolution of electrical, chemical, and structural properties of transparent and conducting chemically derived graphene thin films. Adv Funct Mater 19:2577–2583

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Milan MM, Liu G (2019) Sewage sludge-derived \(\text{TiO}_{2}/\text{Fe}/\text{Fe}_{3}\text{C}\)-biochar composite as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for degradation of methylene blue. Chemosphere 215:101–114

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naghdi M, Taheran M, Brar SK, Rouissia T, Verma M, Surampalli RY, Valero JR (2017) A green method for production of nanobiochar by ball milling-optimization and characterization. J Clean Prod 164:1394–1405

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • OECD (2008) OECD. Guideline for testing of chemicals; No. 211, Daphnia magna reproduction test. OECD

  • Oleszczuk P, Cwikla-Bundyra W, Bogusz A, Skwarek E, Ok YS (2016) Characterization of nanoparticles of biochars from different biomass. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 121:165–172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira FR, Patel AK, Jaisi PD, Adhikari S, Lud H, Khanal SK (2017) Environmental application of biochar: current status and perspectives. Bioresour Technol 246:110–122

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qian L, Zhang W, Yan J, Han L, Gao W, Liu R, Chen M (2016) Effective removal of heavy metal by biochar colloids under different pyrolysis temperatures. Bioresour Technol 206:217–224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qu X, Fu H, Mao J, Ran Y, Zhang D, Zhu D (2016) Chemical and structural properties of dissolved black carbon released from biochars. Carbon 96:759–767

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rauf MA, Meetani MA, Khaleel A, Ahmed A (2010) Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using a mixed catalyst and product analysis by lc/ms. Chem Eng J 157:373–378

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schamphelaere KACD, Vasconcelos FM, Tack FMG, Allen HE, Janssen CR (2004) Effect of dissolved organic matter source on acute copper toxicity to daphnia magna. Environ Toxicol Chem 23(5):1248–1255

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sevilla M, Fuertes AB (2009) The production of carbon materials by hydrothermal carbonization of cellulose. Carbon 47(9):2281–2289

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Song B, Chen M, Zhao L, Qiu H, Cao X (2019) Physicochemical property and colloidal stability of micron- and nano-particle biochar derived from a variety of feedstock sources. Sci Total Environ 661:685–695

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Y, Wu Z-Y, Wang X, Ding C, Cheng W, Yu S-H, Wang X (2016) Macroscopic and microscopic investigation of u(vi) and eu(iii) adsorption on carbonaceous nanofibers. Environ Sci Technol 50(8):4459–4467

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan X, Guo LY, Ling GY, Xu Y, Ming ZG, Jiang HX, Bo LS, Wang X, Mian LS, Li J (2016) Biochar-based nano-composites for the decontamination of wastewater: a review. Bioresour Technol 212:318–333

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tang J, Li X, Luo Y, Li G, Khan S (2016) Spectroscopic characterization of dissolved organic matter derived from different biochars and their polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) binding affinity. Chemosphere 152:399–406

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ursachi I, Stancu A, Vasile A (2012) Magnetic \(\alpha\)-\(\text{Fe}_{2}\text{O}_{3}/\text{mcm}\)-\(41\) nanocomposites: preparation, characterization, and catalytic activity for methylene blue degradation. J Colloid Interface Sci 377(1):184–190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • von Gunten K, Alam MS, Hubmann M, Ok YS, Konhauser KO, Alessi DS (2017) Modified sequential extraction for biochar and petroleum coke: metal release potential and its environmental implications. Bioresour Technol 236:106–110

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang B, Gao B, Wan Y (2018) Entrapment of ball-milled biochar in ca-alginate beads for the removal of aqueous cd(ii). J Ind Eng Chem 61:161–168

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang D, Zhang W, Hao X, Zhou D (2013a) Transport of biochar particles in saturated granular media: Effects of pyrolysis temperature and particle size. Environ Sci Technol 47:821–828

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang D, Zhang W, Zhou D (2013b) Antagonistic effects of humic acid and iron oxyhydroxide grain coating on biochar nanoparticle transport in saturated sand. Environ Sci Technol 47(10):5154–5161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao X, Chen B, Chen Z, Zhu L, Schnoor JL (2018) Insight into multiple and multilevel structures of biochars and their potential environmental applications: A critical review. Environ Sci Technol 52(9):5027–5047

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xie T, Reddy KR, Wang C, Yargicoglu E, Spokas K (2015) Characteristics and applications of biochar for environmental remediation: a review. Crit Rev Env Sci Tech 45:939–969

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu C, Rangaiah GP, Zhao XS (2014) Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue by titanium dioxide: experimental and modeling study. Ind Eng Chem Res 53(38):14641–14649

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang W, Shang J, Sharma P, Li B, Liu K, Flury M (2019) Colloidal stability and aggregation kinetics of biochar colloids: effects of pyrolysis temperature, cation type, and humic acid concentrations. Sci Total Environ 658:1306–1315

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang Z-C, Li X, Wang J (2011) Intrinsically fluorescent nitrogen-containing carbon nanoparticles synthesized by a hydrothermal process. Carbon 49(49):5207–5212

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yi P, Pignatello JJ, Uchimiya M, White JC (2015) Heteroaggregation of cerium oxide nanoparticles and nanoparticles of pyrolyzed biomass. Environ Sci Technol 49(22):13294–13303

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yue L, Liana F, Han Y, Bao Q, Wang Z, Xing B (2019) The effect of biochar nanoparticles on rice plant growth and the uptake of heavy metals: implications for agronomic benefits and potential risk. Sci Total Environ 656:9–18

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang C, Lohwacharin J, Takizawa S (2017) Properties of residual titanium dioxide nanoparticles after extended periods of mixing and settling in synthetic and natural waters. Sci Rep 7:9943

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang N, Zhang Y, Xu Y-J (2012) Recent progress on graphene-based photocatalysts: current status and future perspectives. Nanoscale 4:5792–5813

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang T, Oyama T, Aoshima A, Hidaka H, Zhao J, Serpone N (2001) Photooxidative n-demethylation of methylene blue in aqueous \(\text{TiO}_{2}\) dispersions under uv irradiation. J Photochem Photobiol A 140(2):163–172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y, Tang Z-R, Fu X, Xu Y-J (2010) \(\text{TiO}_{2}\)-graphene nanocomposites for gas-phase photocatalytic degradation of volatile aromatic pollutant: Is \(\text{TiO}_{2}\)-graphene truly different from other \(\text{TiO}_{2}\)-carbon composite materials? ACS Nano 4(12):7303–7314

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Z, Chen B, Qu X, Fu H, Zhu D (2018) Dissolved black carbon as an efficient sensitizer in the photochemical transformation of \(17\alpha\)-estradiol in aqueous solution. Environ Sci Technol 52:10391–10399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery grant (RGPIN-04134) to D.S.A. The authors would like to thank Prof. Jonathan Curtis in department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science and Prof. Al Meldrum in the Department of Physics at the University of Alberta for the use of FTIR and photoluminescence spectroscopy, respectively. Furthermore, the authors are grateful to Prof. Jonathan G. C. Veinot and Maryam Aghajamali in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Alberta for the use of a Zetasizer.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E3, Canada

    Salman Safari, Konstantin von Gunten, Md. Samrat Alam & Daniel S. Alessi

  2. Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2P5, Canada

    Magdalena Hubmann

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E0, Canada

    Tamzin A. Blewett

  4. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

    Ziyi Chi

Authors
  1. Salman Safari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Konstantin von Gunten
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Md. Samrat Alam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Magdalena Hubmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Tamzin A. Blewett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ziyi Chi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Daniel S. Alessi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Salman Safari.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (docx 942 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Safari, S., von Gunten, K., Alam, M.S. et al. Biochar colloids and their use in contaminants removal. Biochar 1, 151–162 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-019-00014-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-019-00014-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation