Innovative biochar adsorbent from Parthenium hysterophorus for carcinogenic lead removal: A step toward cleaner water and sustainable materials

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Abstract

The study involved pyrolyzing biomass from Parthenium hysterophorus at temperatures of 300, 500, and 700°C to generate charcoal adsorbents (PTC 300, PTC 500, and PTC 700) at reduced prices. Subsequently, the PTCs were evaluated for their efficacy in eliminating Pb (II) from industrial effluent. Through the manipulation of operational parameters and the analysis of mathematical models, PTC 500 exhibited the highest adsorption capacity among the synthesized adsorbents, achieving 20.40 mg Pb (II)/g. The major mechanisms for Pb (II) adsorption onto biochar derived from P. hysterophorus are ion exchange with inherent mineral cations and surface complexation with oxygenated functional groups (-COOH, -OH). The enhanced immobilization efficacy is due to electrostatic attraction and lead precipitation within the pores of biochar. The pseudo-first order and Langmuir models provided the most precise characterization of Pb (II) adsorption onto PTCs in the batch adsorption study. An increased Pb (II) concentration, reduced flow velocity, and elevated bed height collectively enhanced Pb (II) sorption in the fixed bed column. The Clark model most accurately represented the adsorption process and aligned with the experimental data in comparison to the other column models (Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, Clark, and Bohart-Adams models). The supplemental experimental results were consistent with the breakthrough curves. The maximum adsorption capacity achieved using the column approach was 8.16 mg/g. In contrast to rival adsorbents, PTCs exhibited significant reusability potential and enhanced adsorption efficiency.

Keywords

invasive biomass valorization / environmental sustainability / circular economy / lead contamination / water purification

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