Phosphate Adsorption onto Bagasse Iron Oxide Biochar: Parameter Optimization, Kinetic Analysis, and Study of Mechanisms

Abstract

This study combined chemical ultrasonic modifications and microwave oven heating to prepare a novel adsorbent, bagasse iron oxide biochar, (BIBC) to remove phosphate from aqueous solutions. The characterization of BIBC was made by energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), Brunauer– Emmett–Teller (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses, and the mechanism of phosphorus adsorption on BIBC was researched by adsorption batch experiments with emphasis on pH, dosages of BIBC, initial phosphorus concentration, and adsorption time. The BIBC’s BET specific surface area and pore volumes were 81.94 m2 g−1 and 26.74 cm3 g−1, respectively. The pH for the optimal phosphorus adsorption by BIBC ranged from 5.0 to 7.0. The maximum adsorption capacities of phosphorus (according to the Langmuir model) were 3.62, 4.06, and 4.32 mg g-1 at temperatures of 25, 35, and 45 °C, respectively. Electrostatic interaction, surface adsorption of phosphorus on BIBC, and ion exchange were the main mechanisms of phosphorus adsorption. According to XPS results, Fe2p was involved in the adsorption reaction. The adsorption of phosphorus by BIBC is considered to be mainly chemical adsorption. The BIBC was stable under a pH range from 4.0 to 10.0 and secondary pollution did not result.