Development of a new hydrophobic magnetic biochar for removing oil spills on the water surface

Xiaojun Sun; Hongrui Fu; Mutai Bao; Wei Liu; Chengyi Luo; Yang Li; Yiming Li; Jinren Lu

doi:10.1007/s42773-022-00184-9

Biochar ›› 2022, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (1) : 0. DOI: 10.1007/s42773-022-00184-9

Original Research

Development of a new hydrophobic magnetic biochar for removing oil spills on the water surface

Xiaojun Sun¹^,² ,
Hongrui Fu¹^,² ,
Mutai Bao¹^,²^,^c ,
Wei Liu¹^,² ,
Chengyi Luo¹^,² ,
Yang Li³ ,
Yiming Li¹^,² ,
Jinren Lu²

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Highlights

•	Low temperature (350℃) pyrolyzed cornstalk biochar has the highest oil sorption ability among the various biochars.
•	Modified cornstalk biochar has excellent hydrophobicity and floatage with a higher oil adsorptivity.
•	The oil sorption process of the modified biochar conforms to pseudo-first-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm models.

Abstract

More technologies are urgently needed for combined use to effectively eliminate the effect of oil spills, an environmental problem of widespread concern. Among these technologies, sorption methods are available to remove residual oil and prevent the further spread on the water surface. In this study, biochars, prepared from different feedstock materials and pyrolysis temperatures, were screened and further modified to improve their application in the water environment. Among cornstalk biochar (CSBC), corncob biochar (CCBC), Sophora sawdust biochar (SSBC), and rice husk biochar (RHBC), the CSBC had excellent oil sorption capacity, especially prepared at 350℃ (CSBC350), which has a complete and full pore structure. Furthermore, magnetic and silane agent modifications of CSBC350 (OMBC) were performed to enhance the properties of the magnetic field controllability and hydrophobicity to increase oil sorption. The OMBC exhibited satisfactory oil sorption capacities to crude oil, diesel oil, and engine oil in the water-oil system of 8.77 g g⁻¹, 4.01 g g⁻¹, and 4.44 g g⁻¹, respectively. The sorption process of CSBC350 and OMBC complied with the pseudo-second-order kinetics (R² > 0.97) and the Langmuir isotherm models (R² > 0.80) based on the highest regression coefficients. The sorption mechanisms are dominated by hydrophobic forces, pore intercepts, and hydrogen-bond interactions. The biochar adsorbent can availably cooperate with other physical methods to eliminate oil contaminants, which can be an outstanding fuel source for producing heat.

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Xiaojun Sun, Hongrui Fu, Mutai Bao, Wei Liu, Chengyi Luo, Yang Li, Yiming Li, Jinren Lu. Development of a new hydrophobic magnetic biochar for removing oil spills on the water surface. Biochar, 2022, 4(1): 0 https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-022-00184-9