Effective removal of heavy metal by biochar colloids under different pyrolysis temperatures

Biochar colloids' association with heavy metal needs be studied to precisely evaluate the effectiveness of biochar as sorbents. The structure of biochar colloids and their roles in heavy metal removal were investigated by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction and batch adsorption experiments, respectively. Due to the numerous oxygen function groups and mineral matters contained in biochar colloids, the removal capacity of chromium (Cr) and cadmium (Cd) to biochar colloids was much greater than that of biochar residues. The highest adsorption capacities of Cr(III) and Cd(II) under initial pH 3.5 were obtained by RS400, which were mainly attributed to the presence of oxygen function groups and mineral matters simultaneously. The highest removal capacity of Cr(VI) was observed by RS300 due to the additional reduction by phenolic functional groups of RS300C. Therefore, the functions of biochar colloids for heavy metal removal should be considered. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.