Chromium(VI) adsorption from aqueous solution by prepared biochar from Onopordom Heteracanthom

In this research, the stems of Onopordom Heteracanthom which is a kind of weed were converted to biochar particles, and their characteristics were investigated. The morphology and purity of these particles were examined by SEM and EDX techniques, respectively. Specific surface area was obtained as 5.73 m(2) g(-1) by BET method. The biochar particles obtained from Onopordom Heteracanthom were evaluated as an adsorbent to remove Cr(VI) from aqueous environments. The effect of some parameters such as initial concentration of Cr(VI), dosage of adsorbent, and pH were investigated on the adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) onto the adsorbent. The equilibrium data were analyzed by various isotherm models. The results revealed that in this process, the adsorption isotherm and kinetics have more conformity with Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics, respectively. The multilinearity of the Weber and Morris adsorption kinetic model indicates that the intra-particle diffusion is not merely the rate-controlling step for the whole adsorption process.