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Removal of Copper, Lead, Methylene Green 5, and Acid Red 1 by Saccharide-Derived Spherical Biochar Prepared at Low Calcination Temperatures: Adsorption Kinetics, Isotherms, and Thermodynamics

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Abstract

Spherical biochar derived from saccharides (glucose, sucrose, and xylose) was prepared through two steps: pre-hydrothermal carbonization at 190 °C and calcination at low temperatures (200–325 °C). The spherical biochar was characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, zeta potential, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, and X-ray diffraction. The result indicated that the spherical biochar exhibited low S BET (15–22 m2/g), but abundant superficial active oxygen-containing functional groups. The spherical biochar possessed a negatively charged surface within solution pH 2.0–11. The adsorption process of Pb2+, Cu2+, and methylene green 5 (MG5) was strongly dependent on the solution pH and reached fast equilibrium at approximately 60 min. The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity (Q°max) exhibited the following order: glucose-biochar > sucrose-biochar > xylose-biochar prepared at 300 °C. The selective adsorption order of glucose-biochar was Cu2+ (0.894 mmol/g) > Pb2+ (0.848 mmol/g) > MG5 (0.334 mmol/g). The electrostatic attraction played a determining role in the adsorption mechanism of pollutant cations. The adsorption of anionic dye (acid red 1) on the spherical biochar was negligible because of electrostatic repulsion. The spherical biochar can serve as a newer and promising adsorbent to remove toxic pollutant cations from water media.

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Acknowledgements

This current work was financially supported by Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) in Taiwan. The first author would like to thank Chung Yuan Christian University for the Distinguished International Graduate Students (DIGS) scholarship to pursue his doctoral studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli, 320, Taiwan

    Hai Nguyen Tran & Huan-Ping Chao

  2. Department of Environmental Engineering, Vanung University, Chung-Li, 32061, Taiwan

    Chung-Kung Lee

  3. Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment, 41 Phu Dien, Bac Tu Liem, Ha Noi, Vietnam

    Mai Thi Vu

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  1. Hai Nguyen Tran
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  2. Chung-Kung Lee
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  3. Mai Thi Vu
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  4. Huan-Ping Chao
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Correspondence to Hai Nguyen Tran or Huan-Ping Chao.

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Tran, H.N., Lee, CK., Vu, M.T. et al. Removal of Copper, Lead, Methylene Green 5, and Acid Red 1 by Saccharide-Derived Spherical Biochar Prepared at Low Calcination Temperatures: Adsorption Kinetics, Isotherms, and Thermodynamics. Water Air Soil Pollut 228, 401 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-017-3582-3

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