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Adsorption of metribuzin from aqueous solution using magnetic and nonmagnetic sustainable low-cost biochar adsorbents

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Abstract

Switchgrass biochar (SGB) was made by fast pyrolysis in an auger-fed reactor at 425 °C with a solid residence time of 60 s in the pyrolysis zone during bio-oil production. Magnetic switchgrass biochar (MSGB) was prepared by iron oxide precipitation onto the biochar surface using an aqueous Fe3+/Fe2+ solution followed by NaOH treatment. Both the SGB and the MSGB were characterized by FTIR, SEM, SEM-EDX, TGA, pHpzc, elemental analysis, and surface area measurements. Batch sorption studies of metribuzin from aqueous solutions were carried out at different pH values, adsorbate concentrations, and temperatures. The adsorption of metribuzin onto both biochars was highest at a pH of 2. Adsorption isotherms were evaluated from 25 to 45 °C using the Freundlich, Langmuir, Redlich-Peterson, Toth, Sips, Koble-Corrigan, and Radke-Prausnitz adsorption models. Langmuir adsorption capacities at pH 2 were Q 0 SGB ~ 151, 223, and 205 mg/g and Q 0 MSGB ~ 155, 205, and 155 mg/g at 25, 35, and 45 °C, respectively. Low-cost magnetization of the biochar occurred without significant loss of absorption capacity, enabling facile separation of slurried biochar from liquids following contaminate absorption.

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to acknowledge support from the University Grants Commission for the Joint Research Program entitled “Indo-US initiatives on Cleaner Energy and Water Research” between Jawaharlal Nehru University and Mississippi State University and the Mississippi State University Chemistry Department for financial support of this project. The authors would also like to acknowledge Dr. El Barbary Hassan of Mississippi State University for assistance in biochar analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Mississippi State University, Box 9573, Mississippi State, MS, 39762-9573, USA

    Matthew Essandoh, Daniel Wolgemuth, Charles U. Pittman Jr & Todd Mlsna

  2. School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India

    Dinesh Mohan

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  1. Matthew Essandoh
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  2. Daniel Wolgemuth
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  3. Charles U. Pittman Jr
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  4. Dinesh Mohan
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  5. Todd Mlsna
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Correspondence to Todd Mlsna.

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Responsible editor: Hailong Wang

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Essandoh, M., Wolgemuth, D., Pittman, C.U. et al. Adsorption of metribuzin from aqueous solution using magnetic and nonmagnetic sustainable low-cost biochar adsorbents. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 4577–4590 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-8188-6

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