Adsorption of Cr6+ and Pb2+ on soy sauce residue biochar from aqueous solution

Abstract

Biochar produced by the pyrolysis of biomass can be used to counter water pollution from heavy metals. The purpose of this work was to develop a biosorbent based on soy sauce residue (SSR) for the removal of Cr6+ and Pb2+. The SSR biochar (SBC) from oxygen-limited pyrolysis under the temperatures of 300 to 700 °C were obtained, and their adsorption capability was evaluated. After determining the optimum pyrolysis temperature, the effects of initial pH values, contact times, and initial metal concentrations on the Cr6+ and Pb2+ adsorption by SBC prepared at 600 °C (SBC600) were investigated. With the increase of pyrolysis temperature, the physical and chemical properties of SBC developed in a direction favorable to heavy metal adsorption. The SBC600 reached the adsorption equilibrium at the time of 2 (Cr6+) and 24 h (Pb2+), and the maximum adsorption amounts of Cr6+ and Pb2+ were 25.80 and 135.3 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, and the adsorption isotherms was best described by the Langmuir isotherms. The SBC was an adsorbent with certain potential for heavy metals removal in wastewater.