Effect of biochar aging on surface characteristics and adsorption behavior of dialkyl phthalates.
The implications of biochar aging regarding their material properties as well as their interactions with other contaminants are not vivid. We report the role of biochar aging on sorption behavior of di-alkyl phthalates (PAEs). Biochars used in this study were produced from peanut-shell and their aging was simulated by chemical oxidation. The structural composition and morphology of the obtained biochars, before and after oxidation with HNO3/H2SO4, were analyzed by element composition, XPS, DRIFT, and SEM/EDX. Several experimental results unequivocally showed oxygen enrichment in the mixed acid treated samples compared to their precursors. Despite surface area reduction and pore destruction, increased PAEs sorption on oxidized biochar surfaces portrayed existence of strong PAEs binding sites. The adsorption of PAEs on oxidized biochar surface is a cumulative influence of hydrophobic interactions and pi-pi electron donor-acceptor interactions. Our results suggest that imminent aging of biochar upon environmental exposure may change their sorbent properties.
Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China.
Abdul
A
Ghaffar
Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China. Electronic address: sghosh12@qq.com.
Saikat
S
Ghosh
Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China.
Fangfang
F
Li
Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China.
Xudong
X
Dong
Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China.
Di
D
Zhang
Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China.
Min
M
Wu
Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China.
Hao
H
Li
Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, PR China.
Bo
B
Pan
D000327:Adsorption; D002606:Charcoal / Q000737:chemistry*; D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C540010:biochar; C024629:dimethyl phthalate; D002606:Charcoal; D003993:Dibutyl Phthalate; C007379:diethyl phthalate
Adsorption; Aging; Biochar; Dialkyl phthalates; Oxidation