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Adsorption of ammonium on biochar prepared from giant reed

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Abstract

Giant reed was used as precursor for making biochar in order for the adsorption of NH4 +–N from aqueous solution. And the adsorption of the product to NH4 +–N was examined. The surface features of biochar were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD patterns showed several peaks and correspond to the high amount of crystalline material. The crystals contain KCl, K2O, CaO, MgO, and SiO and possess high surface area which enhances adsorption. The influence of different parameters such as initial concentration, adsorption time, pH, and ionic strength has been carried out. The adsorption could reach equilibrium through 24 h reaction and had the best adsorption amount at the solution pH values from 7 to 9. The cation has great influence on the adsorption of NH4 +–N, whereas the anion exerted a weaker effect. The adsorption followed pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. And the intraparticle diffusion and desorption studies further elucidated that the mechanism of adsorption on the product was ion exchange. The product equilibrium data was well described by the Langmuir and Freundlich model. The maximum adsorption capacities were 1.490 mg/g. Biochar derived from giant reed at 500 °C was suggested as a promising adsorbent for the removal of NH4 +–N from slightly polluted wastewater.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of PR China (no. 51408493), National Science and Technology Support Program of PR China (no. 2015BAL04B01), Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Southwest University (no. SWU114013), and Chongqing Natural Science Foundation (NO. cstc2016jcyjA1458).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Resource and Environment, Southwest University, 216 Tiansheng St, Chongqing, 400715, People’s Republic of China

    Jie Hou, Lei Huang, Zhimin Yang, Yaqi Zhao, Chaoren Deng, Yucheng Chen & Xin Li

  2. Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Chongqing, 400716, People’s Republic of China

    Jie Hou, Lei Huang, Zhimin Yang, Yaqi Zhao & Yucheng Chen

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  1. Jie Hou
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  2. Lei Huang
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  3. Zhimin Yang
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  4. Yaqi Zhao
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  5. Chaoren Deng
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  6. Yucheng Chen
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  7. Xin Li
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Correspondence to Lei Huang.

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Responsible editor: Hailong Wang

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Hou, J., Huang, L., Yang, Z. et al. Adsorption of ammonium on biochar prepared from giant reed. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 19107–19115 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7084-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7084-4

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