Synthesis of nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) supported on biochar for chromium remediation from aqueous solution and soil

Abstract

Maize straw biochar-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron composite (MSB-nZVI) was prepared for efficient chromium (Cr) removal through alleviating the aggregation of zero-valent iron particles. The removal mechanism of MSB-nZVI was investigated by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution by MSB-nZVI was greatly affected by pH and initial concentration. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) decreased with increasing pH, and the removal kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model. XRD patterns of MSB-nZVI before and after reaction showed that reduction and precipitation/co-precipitation (FeCr2O4, Fe3O4, Fe2O3) occurred with the conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and Fe(0) to Fe(II)/Fe(III). The produced precipitation/co-precipitation could be deposited on the MSB surface rather than being only coated on the surface of nZVI particles, which can alleviate passivation of nZVI. For remediation of Cr(VI)-contaminated saline–alkali soil (pH 8.6–9.0, Cr 341 mg/kg), the released amount of Cr(VI) was 70.7 mg/kg, while it sharply decreased to 0.6–1.7 mg/kg at pH 4.0–8.0, indicating that the saline–alkali environment inhibited the remediation efficiency. These results show that MSB-nZVI can be used as an effective material for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution and contaminated soil.