Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy | 2021
Fixed bed adsorption of Pb and Cu by iron modified bamboo, bagasse and tyre biochar
Abstract
Abstract Biochar has been successfully used for remediation of inorganic and organic pollutant from aqueous and soil medium. Easy availability of raw materials, low-cost preparation, an alternative for solid waste management and efficient removal of pollutants make biochar a better option in comparison to conventional adsorbents. In the present study, effect of iron modified biochar (MBC) prepared from bamboo (Fe-BBm), bagasse (Fe-BBg) and tyre (Fe-Ty) was investigated on fixed bed adsorption of lead (Pb) and copper (Cu). Different doses of prepared biochar (BC) without modification (BBm, BBg and Ty) were also tested and compared. Mathematical parameters of breakthrough curves (BTC) were calculated to understand the adsorption of Pb and Cu by BC and MBC. The results revealed that equilibrium adsorption (qe) and removal efficiency (R%) increased with increase in dose of BC and MBC. MBC showed better breakthrough profile and adsorption than BC for Pb removal. Maximum removal of Pb (75.75%) and qe (0.15\xa0mg/g) was done by 10% FeTy. In case of Cu removal, maximum removal (59.44%) and qe (0.12\xa0mg/g) was found for 10% BBm. Experimental results were analysed by different models such as Thomas, Adam-Bohart and Wolborska. Experimental results of both Pb and Cu adsorption fitted well to Thomas model with R2 (0.94 for Pb and 0.93 for Cu). FeTy and BBm proved better adsorbents for Pb and Cu that can be upscaled for heavy metal removal from polluted fields and large-scale environmental applications.