title: Application of biochar for the removal of pollutants from aqueous solutions.
abstract: In recent years, many studies have been devoted to investigate the application of biochar for pollutants removal from aqueous solutions. Biochar exhibits a great potential to efficiently tackle water contaminants considering the wide availability of feedstock, low-cost and favorable physical/chemical surface characteristics. This review provides an overview of biochar production technologies, biochar properties, and recent advances in the removal of heavy metals, organic pollutants and other inorganic pollutants using biochar. Experimental studies related to the adsorption behaviors of biochar toward various contaminants, key affecting factors and the underlying mechanisms proposed to explain the adsorption behaviors, have been comprehensively reviewed. Furthermore, research gaps and uncertainties that exist in the use of biochar as an adsorbent are identified. Further research needs for biochar and potential areas for future application of biochars are also proposed.
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
authors.forename: Xiaofei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China. Electronic address: hnuliuyunguo@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yunguo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
authors.forename: Guangming
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: College of Resources and Environmental Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410082, PR China.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
authors.forename: Xinjiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
authors.forename: Yanling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhongzhu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000737:chemistry; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014873:Water Pollutants; C540010:biochar; D002606:Charcoal
keywords: Adsorption; Aqueous solutions; Biochar; Carbon sequestration; Research needs; Water pollution