Characterization of graphene/pine wood biochar hybrids: Potential to remove aqueous Cu2+

Biochar-based hybrid composites containing added nano-sized phases are emerging adsorbents. Biochar, when functionalized with nanomaterials, can enhance pollutant removal when both the nanophase and the biochar surface act as adsorbents. Three different pine wood wastes (particle size < 0.5 mm, 10 g) were preblended with 1 wt% of three different graphenes in aqueous suspensions, designated as G1, G2, and G3. G1 (S-BET, 8.1 m(2)/g) was prepared by sonicating graphite made from commercial synthetic graphite powder (particle size 7-11 mu m). G2 (312.0 m(2)/g) and G3 (712.0 m(2)/g) were purchased commercial graphene nanoplatelets (100 mg in 100 mL deionized water). These three pine wood-graphene mixtures were pyrolyzed at 600 degrees C for 1 h to generate three graphene-biochar adsorbents, GPBC-1, GPBC-2, and GPBC-3 containing 4.4, 4.9, and 5.0 wt% of G1, G2, and G3 respectively. Aqueous Cu2+ adsorption capacities were 10.6 mg/g (GPBC-1), 4.7 mg/g (GPBC-2), and 5.5 mg/g (GPBC-3) versus 7.2 mg/g for raw pine wood biochar (PBC) (0.05 g adsorbent dose, Cu2+ 75 mg/L, 25 mL, pH 6, 24 h, 25 +/- 0.5 degrees C). Increased graphene surface areas did not result in adsorption increases. GPBC-1, containing the lowest nanophase surface area with the highest Cu2+ capacity, was chosen to evaluate its Cu2+ adsorption characteristics further. Results from XPS showed that the surface concentration of oxygenated functional groups on the GPBC-1 is greater than that on the PBC, possibly contributing to its greater Cu2+ removal versus PBC. GPBC-1 and PBC uptake of Cu2+ followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Langmuir maximum adsorption capacities and BET surface areas were 18.4 mg/g, 484.0 m(2)/g (GPBC-1) and 9.2 mg/g, 378.0 m(2)/g (PBC). This corresponds to 3.8 x 10(-2) versus 2.4 x 10(-2) mg/m(2) of Cu2+ removed on GPBC-1 (58% more Cu2+ per m(2)) versus PBC. Cu2+ adsorption on both these adsorbents was spontaneous and endothermic.

Automated summary

Biochar-based hybrid composites with added nano-sized phases are effective adsorbents for pollutant removal, especially when functionalized with nanomaterials. Different pine wood wastes blended with varying graphenes were pyrolyzed to create adsorbents with different Cu2+ adsorption capacities, with GPBC-1 showing the highest capacity. The results suggest that the surface properties of the biochar composites play a crucial role in enhancing Cu2+ removal.