Factors influencing Cu (II) sorption by biochar-based sorbents

Carbon-based sorbents, in particular biochar, and its composites have characteristic properties that affect the sorption process of contaminants (porous structure, specific surface area, functional groups on the surface). The physicochemical properties of the given sorbents depend on the feedstock as well as on its suitable modification. The feedstock for the preparation of unmodified biochar and composite biochar - montmorillonite, was used bamboo “Phyllostachys viridwiglaucescens”. To characterize the sorbents, was used the method of X-ray analysis, we determined the presence of characteristic elements for a particular material. By SEM / EDX analysis, we studied the morphology and surface structure of the sorbents as well as the percentage of elements on the surface. In the sorption experiments, was used the batch method while maintaining the ratio of solid and liquid phase in the ratio [m : V] = [1 : 30]. By monitoring the effect of pH on Cu (II) sorption, we determined the optimal pH for further sorption experiments. Another parameter monitored for Cu (II) sorption was the initial concentration. In the case of both materials we observed excellent results, but in the case of the biochar - montmorillonite composite we observed better results of sorption capacity.

Keywords: sorption; biochar; composite; influence