Decontamination of Cr(VI) from water using sewage sludge-derived biochar: Role of environmentally persistent free radicals

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2022.06.015

Abstract

Abstract: Biochar is a well-known material for pollutant removal owing to its low cost and rich surface functionality. A kind of highly active substance, called environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs), can be produced in the preparation process of biochar, playing an important role in the removal of pollutants. In this study, sludge-derived biochars (SBC₁₂₀ and SBC₂₇₀) were prepared by the hydrothermal carbonization under two temperatures (120 ℃ and 270 ℃) to investigate their removal abilities of Cr(VI). The maximum removal amounts of Cr(VI) by SBC₁₂₀ and SBC₂₇₀ were 16.58 and 22.93 mg·g^-1, respectively. It was further revealed that the appearance of Cr(III), as a result of EPFRs on sludge-derived biochar (SBC) transferred electrons to Cr(VI) in neutral solutions. That is to say, oxygen-centered (O-centered) EPFRs on SBC₁₂₀ and carbon-centered (C-centered) EPFRs on SBC₂₇₀ all could be used as electron donors to Cr(VI) to make it become Cr(III). This study not only provides a theoretical basis for the mechanism of pollutants removal by sludge-derived biochar but also offers a new perspective on the direct effect of EPFRs on pollutants.

Key words: Sludge-derived biochar, Environmentally persistent free radicals, Chromium, Removal, Reduction

摘要： Biochar is a well-known material for pollutant removal owing to its low cost and rich surface functionality. A kind of highly active substance, called environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs), can be produced in the preparation process of biochar, playing an important role in the removal of pollutants. In this study, sludge-derived biochars (SBC₁₂₀ and SBC₂₇₀) were prepared by the hydrothermal carbonization under two temperatures (120 ℃ and 270 ℃) to investigate their removal abilities of Cr(VI). The maximum removal amounts of Cr(VI) by SBC₁₂₀ and SBC₂₇₀ were 16.58 and 22.93 mg·g^-1, respectively. It was further revealed that the appearance of Cr(III), as a result of EPFRs on sludge-derived biochar (SBC) transferred electrons to Cr(VI) in neutral solutions. That is to say, oxygen-centered (O-centered) EPFRs on SBC₁₂₀ and carbon-centered (C-centered) EPFRs on SBC₂₇₀ all could be used as electron donors to Cr(VI) to make it become Cr(III). This study not only provides a theoretical basis for the mechanism of pollutants removal by sludge-derived biochar but also offers a new perspective on the direct effect of EPFRs on pollutants.

关键词: Sludge-derived biochar, Environmentally persistent free radicals, Chromium, Removal, Reduction

Yuhan Zhu, Jia Wei, Jun Li. Decontamination of Cr(VI) from water using sewage sludge-derived biochar: Role of environmentally persistent free radicals[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2023, 56(4): 97-103.

Yuhan Zhu, Jia Wei, Jun Li. Decontamination of Cr(VI) from water using sewage sludge-derived biochar: Role of environmentally persistent free radicals[J]. 中国化学工程学报, 2023, 56(4): 97-103.

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