Preparation of Biochars from Different Sources and Study on Their Phosphorus Adsorption Properties

Biochar is a solid product generated through the pyrolysis of biomass materials under anaerobic or hypoxic conditions, and it is characterized by its strong adsorption capacity. To investigate the phosphorus adsorption performance of biochar derived from wheat straw, bamboo, and water hyacinth in wa...

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Main Authors: Yinlong Shao, Anqi Hu, Yongcan Jiang, Xianbiao Wang, Jingchen Li, Guanglong Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2633
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author Yinlong Shao
Anqi Hu
Yongcan Jiang
Xianbiao Wang
Jingchen Li
Guanglong Liu
author_facet Yinlong Shao
Anqi Hu
Yongcan Jiang
Xianbiao Wang
Jingchen Li
Guanglong Liu
author_sort Yinlong Shao
collection DOAJ
description Biochar is a solid product generated through the pyrolysis of biomass materials under anaerobic or hypoxic conditions, and it is characterized by its strong adsorption capacity. To investigate the phosphorus adsorption performance of biochar derived from wheat straw, bamboo, and water hyacinth in wastewater, iron modification treatments were applied to these biochars, and the most effective modified biochar was identified. The physicochemical properties of the modified biochars were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that optimal modification was achieved with an iron–carbon mass ratio of 0.70 for wheat straw biochar (Fe-WBC) and 0.45 for both bamboo biochar (Fe-BBC) and water hyacinth biochar (Fe-HBC). The maximum phosphorus adsorption capacities of the three modified biochars were as follows: 31.76 mg g<sup>−1</sup> (Fe-WBC) > 27.14 mg g<sup>−1</sup> (Fe-HBC) > 25.31 mg g<sup>−1</sup> (Fe-BBC). It was demonstrated that the adsorption behavior of Fe-BBC was predominantly multi-molecular layer adsorption, whereas the adsorption behavior of Fe-WBC and Fe-HBC was primarily monolayer adsorption. All three types of modified biochars reached adsorption equilibrium within 30 min, with Fe-WBC exhibiting the best adsorption performance. Analysis revealed that the modified biochars contained a large number of unsaturated C bonds and aromatic rings, indicating relatively stable structures. The surfaces of the modified biochars were rich in hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, which contributed to their strong adsorption properties. Post-modification analysis indicated that iron in the biochars predominantly existed in forms such as goethite (FeOOH) and hematite (Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>). The iron content in each type of modified biochar constituted approximately 3.08% for Fe-WBC, 5.94% for Fe-BBC, and 5.68% for Fe-HBC relative to their total elemental composition. Overall, the iron-modified biochars employed in this study significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity and efficiency for phosphorus removal in wastewater.
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spelling doaj-art-a0c01286432347eb9251d89353fbfa2b2025-08-20T03:16:35ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492025-06-013012263310.3390/molecules30122633Preparation of Biochars from Different Sources and Study on Their Phosphorus Adsorption PropertiesYinlong Shao0Anqi Hu1Yongcan Jiang2Xianbiao Wang3Jingchen Li4Guanglong Liu5PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Ltd., Hangzhou 311122, ChinaKey Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, ChinaPowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Ltd., Hangzhou 311122, ChinaPowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Ltd., Hangzhou 311122, ChinaCollege of Landscape and Horticulture, Hubei Vocational College of Bio-Technology, Wuhan 430070, ChinaKey Laboratory of Arable Land Conservation (Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, ChinaBiochar is a solid product generated through the pyrolysis of biomass materials under anaerobic or hypoxic conditions, and it is characterized by its strong adsorption capacity. To investigate the phosphorus adsorption performance of biochar derived from wheat straw, bamboo, and water hyacinth in wastewater, iron modification treatments were applied to these biochars, and the most effective modified biochar was identified. The physicochemical properties of the modified biochars were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that optimal modification was achieved with an iron–carbon mass ratio of 0.70 for wheat straw biochar (Fe-WBC) and 0.45 for both bamboo biochar (Fe-BBC) and water hyacinth biochar (Fe-HBC). The maximum phosphorus adsorption capacities of the three modified biochars were as follows: 31.76 mg g<sup>−1</sup> (Fe-WBC) > 27.14 mg g<sup>−1</sup> (Fe-HBC) > 25.31 mg g<sup>−1</sup> (Fe-BBC). It was demonstrated that the adsorption behavior of Fe-BBC was predominantly multi-molecular layer adsorption, whereas the adsorption behavior of Fe-WBC and Fe-HBC was primarily monolayer adsorption. All three types of modified biochars reached adsorption equilibrium within 30 min, with Fe-WBC exhibiting the best adsorption performance. Analysis revealed that the modified biochars contained a large number of unsaturated C bonds and aromatic rings, indicating relatively stable structures. The surfaces of the modified biochars were rich in hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, which contributed to their strong adsorption properties. Post-modification analysis indicated that iron in the biochars predominantly existed in forms such as goethite (FeOOH) and hematite (Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>). The iron content in each type of modified biochar constituted approximately 3.08% for Fe-WBC, 5.94% for Fe-BBC, and 5.68% for Fe-HBC relative to their total elemental composition. Overall, the iron-modified biochars employed in this study significantly enhanced the adsorption capacity and efficiency for phosphorus removal in wastewater.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2633biocharmodificationadsorptionphosphorusiron oxide
spellingShingle Yinlong Shao
Anqi Hu
Yongcan Jiang
Xianbiao Wang
Jingchen Li
Guanglong Liu
Preparation of Biochars from Different Sources and Study on Their Phosphorus Adsorption Properties
Molecules
biochar
modification
adsorption
phosphorus
iron oxide
title Preparation of Biochars from Different Sources and Study on Their Phosphorus Adsorption Properties
title_full Preparation of Biochars from Different Sources and Study on Their Phosphorus Adsorption Properties
title_fullStr Preparation of Biochars from Different Sources and Study on Their Phosphorus Adsorption Properties
title_full_unstemmed Preparation of Biochars from Different Sources and Study on Their Phosphorus Adsorption Properties
title_short Preparation of Biochars from Different Sources and Study on Their Phosphorus Adsorption Properties
title_sort preparation of biochars from different sources and study on their phosphorus adsorption properties
topic biochar
modification
adsorption
phosphorus
iron oxide
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/12/2633
work_keys_str_mv AT yinlongshao preparationofbiocharsfromdifferentsourcesandstudyontheirphosphorusadsorptionproperties
AT anqihu preparationofbiocharsfromdifferentsourcesandstudyontheirphosphorusadsorptionproperties
AT yongcanjiang preparationofbiocharsfromdifferentsourcesandstudyontheirphosphorusadsorptionproperties
AT xianbiaowang preparationofbiocharsfromdifferentsourcesandstudyontheirphosphorusadsorptionproperties
AT jingchenli preparationofbiocharsfromdifferentsourcesandstudyontheirphosphorusadsorptionproperties
AT guanglongliu preparationofbiocharsfromdifferentsourcesandstudyontheirphosphorusadsorptionproperties