Adsorption of phosphorus onto Fe-modified Thalia dealbata derived biochar

Abstract

How to remove P effectively in eutrophic water is an urgent problem to be solved. In this study, a Fe-modified biochar was prepared by pyrolyzed wetland plant Thalia dealbata. The adsorption of P was investigated by using the prepared biochar (TBC-Fe) as an adsorbent. The effects of contact time, initial P concentration, temperature and initial solution pH on adsorption behavior of P on TBC-Fe were studied. The results showed that P adsorption process on TBC-Fe was controlled by internal and external diffusion of particles, due to the adsorption kinetic was better fitted by Intra-particle diffusion model. The adsorption isotherm on TBC-Fe was well performed by Langmuir model, with a maximum P adsorption capacity of 15.86 mg/g. The best adsorption performance was exhibited at 25°C with the initial pH of 10. Overall, the results indicate a promising option of utilizing Fe-modified biochar derived from wetland plants as an efficient remediation adsorbent for phosphorus in water.