Synthesis, characterisation and methyl orange adsorption capacity of ferric oxide-biochar nano-composites derived from pulp and paper sludge

A Fe2O3-biochar nano-composite (Fe2O3-BC) was prepared from FeCl3-impregnated pulp and paper sludge (PPS) by pyrolysis at 750 degrees C. The characteristics and methyl orange (MO) adsorption capacity of Fe2O3-BC were compared to that of unactivated biochar (BC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the composite material was nano-sized. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed the presence of hydroxyl and aromatic groups on BC and on Fe2O3-BC, but Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) porosity were lower for Fe2O3-BC than BC. Despite the lower BET surface area and porosity of Fe2O3-BC, its MO adsorption capacity was 52.79 % higher than that of BC. The equilibrium adsorption data were best represented by the Freundlich model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 20.53 mg g(-1) at pH 8 and 30 min contact time. MO adsorption obeyed pseudo-second-order kinetics for both BC and Fe2O3-BC with R-2 values of 0.996 and 0.999, respectively. Higher MO adsorption capacity for Fe2O3-BC was attributed to the hybrid nature of the nano-composites; adsorption occurred on both biochar matrix and Fe2O3 nanocrystals. Gibbs free energy calculations confirmed the adsorption is energetically favourable and spontaneous with a high preference for adsorption on both adsorbents. The nano-composite can be used for the efficient removal of MO (> 97 %) from contaminated wastewater.