Xinjiang Hu

Adsorption of chromium (VI) by ethylenediamine-modified cross-linked magnetic chitosan resin: Isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics

The adsorption of chromium (VI) ions from aqueous solution by ethylenediamine-modified cross-linked magnetic chitosan resin (EMCMCR) was studied in a batch adsorption system. Chromium (VI) removal is pH dependent and the optimum adsorption was observed at pH 2.0. The adsorption rate was extremely fast and the equilibrium was established within 6-10min. The adsorption data could be well interpreted by the Langmuir and Temkin model. The maximum adsorption capacities obtained from the Langmuir model are 51.813mgg(-1), 48.780mgg(-1) and 45.872mgg(-1) at 293, 303 and 313K, respectively. The adsorption process could be described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The intraparticle diffusion study revealed that film diffusion might be involved in the present case. Thermodynamic parameters revealed the feasibility, spontaneity and exothermic nature of adsorption. The sorbents were successfully regenerated using 0.1N NaOH solutions.

Application of biochar for the removal of pollutants from aqueous solutions

In recent years, many studies have been devoted to investigate the application of biochar for pollutants removal from aqueous solutions. Biochar exhibits a great potential to efficiently tackle water contaminants considering the wide availability of feedstock, low-cost and favorable physical/chemical surface characteristics. This review provides an overview of biochar production technologies, biochar properties, and recent advances in the removal of heavy metals, organic pollutants and other inorganic pollutants using biochar. Experimental studies related to the adsorption behaviors of biochar toward various contaminants, key affecting factors and the underlying mechanisms proposed to explain the adsorption behaviors, have been comprehensively reviewed. Furthermore, research gaps and uncertainties that exist in the use of biochar as an adsorbent are identified. Further research needs for biochar and potential areas for future application of biochars are also proposed.

Biochar-based nano-composites for the decontamination of wastewater: A review.

Synthesizing biochar-based nano-composites can obtain new composites and combine the advantages of biochar with nano-materials. The resulting composites usually exhibit great improvement in functional groups, pore properties, surface active sites, catalytic degradation ability and easy to separation. These composites have excellent abilities to adsorb a range of contaminants from aqueous solutions. Particularly, catalytic material-coated biochar can exert simultaneous adsorption and catalytic degradation function for organic contaminants removal. Synthesizing biochar-based nano-composites has become an important practice for expanding the environmental applications of biochar and nanotechnology. This paper aims to review and summarize the various synthesis techniques for biochar-based nano-composites and their effects on the decontamination of wastewater. The characteristic and advantages of existing synthesis methods are summarized and discussed. Application of biochar-based nano-composites for different contaminants removal and the underlying mechanisms are reviewed. Furthermore, knowledge gaps that exist in the fabrication and application of biochar-based nano-composites are also identified.

Biosorption of uranium (VI) by immobilized Aspergillus fumigatus beads

Biosorption of uranium (VI) ions by immobilized Aspergillus fumigatus beads was investigated in a batch system. The influences of solution pH, biosorbent dose, U (VI) concentration, and contact time on U (VI) biosorption were studied. The results indicated that the adsorption capacity was strongly affected by the solution pH, the biosorbent dose and initial U (VI) concentration. Optimum biosorption was observed at pH 5.0, biosrobent dose (w/v) 2.5%, initial U (VI) concentration 60 mg L(-1). Biosorption equilibrium was established in 120 min. The adsorption process conformed to the Freunlich and Temkin isothermal adsorption models. The dynamic adsorption model conformed to pseudo-second order model.

Biochar as potential sustainable precursors for activated carbon production: Multiple applications in environmental protection and energy storage

There is a growing interest of the scientific community on production of activated carbon using biochar as potential sustainable precursors pyrolyzed from biomass wastes. Physical activation and chemical activation are the main methods applied in the activation process. These methods could have significantly beneficial effects on biochar chemical/physical properties, which make it suitable for multiple applications including water pollution treatment, CO2 capture, and energy storage. The feedstock with different compositions, pyrolysis conditions and activation parameters of biochar have significant influences on the properties of resultant activated carbon. Compared with traditional activated carbon, activated biochar appears to be a new potential cost-effective and environmentally-friendly carbon materials with great application prospect in many fields. This review not only summarizes information from the current analysis of activated biochar and their multiple applications for further optimization and understanding, but also offers new directions for development of activated biochar.

Grafting of β-cyclodextrin to magnetic graphene oxide via ethylenediamine and application for Cr(VI) removal.

A novel β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) polymer adsorbent named β-cyclodextrin/ethylenediamine/magnetic graphene oxide (CD-E-MGO) was synthesized for decontamination of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The sorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics, as well as the effects of pH, aniline and ionic strength on the sorption process were investigated. The results indicated that CD-E-MGO could effectively remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solution and the sorption data could be well described by pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. The intraparticle diffusion study indicated that intraparticle diffusion was not the only rate-limiting step. Thermodynamic parameters revealed that the sorption reaction was an endothermic and spontaneous process. The decontamination of Cr(VI) was influenced by solution pH and ionic strength. In the system with aniline, the Cr(VI) sorption was improved at low pH values but reduced at high pH values. These results are important for estimating and optimizing the removal of metal ions by CD-E-MGO composite.

Investigation of the adsorption-reduction mechanisms of hexavalent chromium by ramie biochars of different pyrolytic temperatures

To investigate the relationship between Cr(VI) adsorption mechanisms and physio-chemical properties of biochar, ramie residues were oxygen-limited pyrolyzed under temperature varying from 300 to 600°C. Batch adsorption experiments indicated that higher pyrolysis temperature limits Cr(VI) sorption in terms of capacity and affinity due to a higher aromatic structure and fewer polar functional groups in biochar. Both electrostatic (physical) and ionic (chemical) interactions were involved in the Cr(VI) removal. For low-temperature biochar, the simple physical adsorption was limited and the significant improvement in Cr(VI) sorption was attributed to abundant carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. The adsorption-reduction mechanisms could be concluded that Cr(VI) ions were electrostatically attracted by the positively charged biochar surface and reduced to Cr(III), and then the converted Cr(III) was retained or discharged into the solution. The study demonstrates ramie residues can be converted into biochar as a low-cost and effective sorbent for Cr(VI) removal.

Responses of Phanerochaete chrysosporium to Toxic Pollutants: Physiological Flux, Oxidative Stress, and Detoxification

The white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium has been widely used for the treatment of waste streams containing heavy metals and toxic organic pollutants. The development of fungal-based treatment technologies requires detailed knowledge of the relationship between bulk water quality and the physiological responses of fungi. A noninvasive microtest technique was used to quantify real-time changes in proton, oxygen, and cadmium ion fluxes following the exposure of P. chrysosporium to environmental toxic (2,4-dichlorophenol and cadmium). Significant changes in H(+) and O(2) flux occurred after exposure to 10 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenol and 0.1 mM cadmium. Cd(2+) flux decreased with time. Reactive oxygen species formation and antioxidant levels increased after cadmium treatment. Superoxide dismutase activity correlated well with malondialdehyde levels (r(2) = 0.964) at low cadmium concentrations. However, this correlation diminished and malondialdehyde levels significantly increased at the highest cadmium concentration tested. Real-time microscale signatures of H(+), O(2), and Cd(2+) fluxes coupled with oxidative stress analysis can improve our understanding of the physiological responses of P. chrysosporium to toxic pollutants and provide useful information for the development of fungal-based technologies to improve the treatment of wastes cocontaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants.

Effects of background electrolytes and ionic strength on enrichment of Cd(II) ions with magnetic graphene oxide-supported sulfanilic acid.

To elucidate the influence mechanisms of background electrolytes and ionic strength on Cd(II) removal, the adsorption of Cd(II) onto magnetic graphene oxide-supported sulfanilic acid (MGO-SA) in aqueous solutions containing different types and concentrations of background electrolytes was studied. The results indicate that Cd(II) adsorption was strongly dependent on pH and could be strongly affected by background electrolytes and ionic strength. The Cd(II) removal was decreased with the presence of background electrolyte cations (Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Zn(2+), and Ni(2+)), and the divalent cations exerted more obvious influences on the Cd(II) uptake than the monovalent cations at pH 6. Both Cl(-) and NO3(-) had negative effects on Cd(II) adsorption because they can form water-soluble metal-anion complexes with Cd(II) ions. The presence of 0.01molL(-1) Na3PO4 reduced the removal percentage of Cd(II) at pH<5 but extremely enhanced the Cd(II) removal when the pH>5. The Cd(II) adsorption was sensitive to changes in the concentration of NaCl, NaNO3, NaClO4, and Na3PO4. Besides, the adsorption isotherm of Cd(II) onto MGO-SA could be well described by the Freundlich model and was also influenced by the type of background electrolyte ions and the ionic strength.

Adsorption of Estrogen Contaminants by Graphene Nanomaterials under Natural Organic Matter Preloading: Comparison to Carbon Nanotube, Biochar, and Activated Carbon

Adsorption of two estrogen contaminants (17β-estradiol and 17α-ethynyl estradiol) by graphene nanomaterials was investigated and compared to those of a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT), two biochars, a powdered activated carbon (PAC), and a granular activate carbon (GAC) in ultrapure water and in the competition of natural organic matter (NOM). Graphene nanomaterials showed comparable or better adsorption ability than carbon nanotubes (CNTs), biochars (BCs), and activated carbon (ACs) under NOM preloading. The competition of NOM decreased the estrogen adsorption by all adsorbents. However, the impact of NOM on the estrogen adsorption was smaller on graphenes than CNTs, BCs, and ACs. Moreover, the hydrophobicity of estrogens also affected the uptake of estrogens. These results suggested that graphene nanomaterials could be used to removal estrogen contaminants from water as an alternative adsorbent. Nevertheless, if transferred to the environment, they would also adsorb estrogen contaminants, leading to great environmental hazards.