Optimized synthesis and characterization of laterite biochar composite for arsenic removal: examining colloidal stability and As(III) oxidation

Abstract

Arsenic contamination of water and soil affects many regions worldwide, and an eco-friendly and sustainable decontamination solution is needed. A promising approach involves preparing a composite adsorbent using biochar and laterite-based adsorbent. The biochar composite (LBC) uses biochar as a stable carbon matrix that distributes treated laterite minerals efficiently and reduces agglomeration. In contrast, treated laterite, rich in mixed metal oxides like iron and aluminum hydroxides, enhances the adsorption capacity, selectivity, and stability of biochar. Process optimization determines the optimal pyrolysis temperature, organic–inorganic content, treatment methodology, biochar incorporation at a particular pH, and colloidal instability. The Langmuir isotherm model estimates maximum arsenic adsorption capacities of 21 g kg^–1 for As(V) and 14 g kg^–1 for As(III), respectively, with high adsorption rates at both low and high arsenic concentrations. FTIR and XPS analysis suggest hydroxyl and metal oxide aid adsorption, while the quenching experiments with EPR analysis confirm the active role of hydroxyl-free radicles in the oxidation and subsequent adsorption of arsenic species. The used adsorbent can be regenerated using 0.2 M NaOH and shows a safe landfilling option for spent adsorbent based on the TCLP tests. The synergistic combination of laterite with biochar makes LBC an efficient and sustainable solution for the removal of arsenic from water with high adsorption capacity and easy regeneration.

Graphical Abstract

References

AbbasZ, AliS, RizwanM, et al. . A critical review of mechanisms involved in the adsorption of organic and inorganic contaminants through biochar. Arab J Geosci, 2018

AhmadM, RajapakshaAU, LimJE, et al. . Biochar as a sorbent for contaminant management in soil and water: a review. Chemosphere, 2014, 99: 19-33

ArifM, LiuG, YousafB, et al. . Synthesis, characteristics and mechanistic insight into the clays and clay minerals-biochar surface interactions for contaminants removal—a review. J Clean Prod, 2021, 310: 127548

ChaudharyM, RawatS, JainN, et al. . Chitosan-Fe-Al-Mn metal oxyhydroxides composite as highly efficient fluoride scavenger for aqueous medium. Carbohydr Polym, 2019, 216: 140-148

ChenL, ChenXL, ZhouCH, et al. . Environmental-friendly montmorillonite-biochar composites: facile production and tunable adsorption-release of ammonium and phosphate. J Clean Prod, 2017, 156: 648

GaiX, WangH, LiuJ, et al. . Effects of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature on biochar adsorption of ammonium and nitrate. PLoS ONE, 2014, 9 e0113888

GuilhenSN, MašekO, OrtizN, et al. . Pyrolytic temperature evaluation of macauba biochar for uranium adsorption from aqueous solutions. Biomass Bioenergy, 2019, 122: 381

HuP, ZhangY, LiuL, et al. . Biochar/struvite composite as a novel potential material for slow release of N and P. Environ Sci Pollut Res, 2019, 26: 17152

JainN, MaitiA. Arsenic adsorbent derived from the ferromanganese slag. Environ Sci Pollut Res, 2021, 28: 3230

JainN, MaitiA. Arsenite oxidation and arsenic adsorption strategy using developed material from laterite and ferromanganese slag: electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis. Ind Eng Chem Res, 2023, 62: 15600

JainN, SinghP, BhatnagarA, MaitiA. Arsenite oxidation and adsorptive arsenic removal from contaminated water: a review. Environ Sci Pollut Res, 2024

MaitiA, BasuJK, DeS. Desorption kinetics and leaching study of arsenic from arsenite/arsenate-loaded natural laterite. Int J Environ Technol Manag, 2010, 12: 294

Malabadi RB, Kolkar KP, Chalannavar RK et al (2023) Industrial Cannabis sativa-Hemp: biochar applications and disadvantages. World J Adv Res Rev 20

OuředníčekP, HudcováB, TrakalL, et al. . Synthesis of modified amorphous manganese oxide using low-cost sugars and biochars: material characterization and metal(loid) sorption properties. Sci Total Environ, 2019, 670: 1159

RawatS, MaitiA. A hybrid ultrafiltration membrane process using a low-cost laterite based adsorbent for efficient arsenic removal. Chemosphere, 2023, 316 137685

RoyA, BharadvajaN. Efficient removal of heavy metals from artificial wastewater using biochar. Environ Nanotechnol Monit Manage, 2021, 16 100602

SableH, KumarV, MishraR, et al. . Bamboo stem derived biochar for biosorption of Cadmium (II) ions from contaminated wastewater. Environ Nanotechnol Monit Manage, 2024, 21 100936

SchneiderJT, FirakDS, RibeiroRR, Peralta-ZamoraP. Use of scavenger agents in heterogeneous photocatalysis: truths, half-truths, and misinterpretations. Phys Chem Chem Phys, 2020, 22: 15723

ShajiE, SantoshM, SarathKV, et al. . Arsenic contamination of groundwater: a global synopsis with focus on the Indian Peninsula. Geosci Front, 2021, 12 101079

SinghP, RawatS, JainN, et al. . A review on biochar composites for soil remediation applications: comprehensive solution to contemporary challenges. J Environ Chem Eng, 2023, 11 110635

SongP, XuH, SunS, et al. . Remediation of arsenic-spiked soil by biochar-loaded nanoscale zero-valent iron: performance, mechanism, and microbial response. J Clean Prod, 2022, 380 134985

SumanS, SharmaPK, SiddiqueAB, et al. . Wheat is an emerging exposure route for arsenic in Bihar, India. Sci Total Environ, 2020, 703: 134774

ThommesM, KanekoK, NeimarkAV, et al. . Physisorption of gases, with special reference to the evaluation of surface area and pore size distribution (IUPAC Technical Report). Pure Appl Chem, 2015, 87: 1051

UsevičiūtėL, BaltrėnaitėE. Methods for determining lignocellulosic biochar wettability. Waste Biomass Valoriz, 2020, 11: 4457

WangC, LinX, ZhangX, ShowPL. Research advances on production and application of algal biochar in environmental remediation. Environ Pollut, 2024, 348 123860

WuJ, HuangD, LiuX, et al. . Remediation of As(III) and Cd(II) co-contamination and its mechanism in aqueous systems by a novel calcium-based magnetic biochar. J Hazard Mater, 2018, 348: 10

XiaoR, WangJJ, GastonLA, et al. . Biochar produced from mineral salt-impregnated chicken manure: fertility properties and potential for carbon sequestration. Waste Manag, 2018, 78: 802

YangQ, WangX, LuoW, et al. . Effectiveness and mechanisms of phosphate adsorption on iron-modified biochars derived from waste activated sludge. Bioresour Technol, 2018, 247: 537

YangX, ZhangX, WangZ, et al. . Mechanistic insights into removal of norfloxacin from water using different natural iron ore–biochar composites: more rich free radicals derived from natural pyrite-biochar composites than hematite-biochar composites. Appl Catal B Environ, 2019, 255: 117752

YaoY, GaoB, FangJ, et al. . Characterization and environmental applications of clay–biochar composites. Chem Eng J, 2014, 242: 136

YrjäläK, RamakrishnanM, SaloE. Agricultural waste streams as resource in circular economy for biochar production towards carbon neutrality. Curr Opin Environ Sci Health, 2022, 26: 100339

ZhangP, O’ConnorD, WangY, et al. . A green biochar/iron oxide composite for methylene blue removal. J Hazard Mater, 2020, 384 121286

Zhang W, Cho Y, Vithanage M et al (2022) Arsenic removal from water and soils using pristine and modified biochars. Biochar 4

ZhaoN, TanX, XiongJ, et al. . Quantitative analysis on the redox conversion mechanism of Cr(VI) and As(III) by iron carbide based biochar composites. Chem Eng J, 2022, 446: 13717

ZhuS, QuT, IrshadMK, ShangJ. Simultaneous removal of Cd(II) and As(III) from co-contaminated aqueous solution by α-FeOOH modified biochar. Biochar, 2020, 2: 81-92