The effect of carbonization temperature on the capacity and mechanisms of Cd(II)-Pb(II) mix-ions adsorption by wood ear mushroom sticks derived biochar

Heavy metals often coexist in contaminated environmental media, and competition between heavy metals for adsorption sites influences the absorption capacity of biochar. In this study, the adsorption mechanism of pyrolytically modified wood ear mushroom sticks (250, 450, and 650 degrees C) as a new bio-adsorbent for single-ion and mixed-ion solutions Cd2+ and Pb2+ Biochar adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption abilities of Cd2+ and Pb2+ increased with increasing WMBC (wood ear mushroom sticks biochar) pyrolysis temperature. According to the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity of Cd2+ and Pb2+ increased with higher pyrolysis temperature, being 29.84, 39.08, 46.16 mg.g(-1) and 124.3, 186.8, 234.2 mg.g(-1), respectively for three different pyrolysis temperatures 250, 450, and 650 degrees C. WMBC exhibited a stronger adsorption ability for Pb2+ than for Cd2+. Competition between the two heavy metals severely inhibited the adsorption of Cd2+. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses, the dominant interaction mechanisms were determined to be complexation, ion exchange, precipitation, and C-pi interaction. The results suggest WMBC shows promise as a novel, cheap, and effective adsorbent that can be used to remove both Cd2+ and Pb2+ pollutants from environmental media.

Automated summary

This study investigates the adsorption mechanism of pyrolytically modified wood ear mushroom sticks (WMBC) as a new bio-adsorbent for Cd2+ and Pb2+. The results show that the adsorption capacity increased with higher pyrolysis temperature and WMBC exhibited a stronger adsorption ability for Pb2+ than for Cd2+.