Utilization of biochar sorbents for Cd2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ ions separation from aqueous solutions: comparative study

The objective of this study was to study the utilization of two different woody-derived biochars for Cd2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ ions separation from aqueous solutions. Physicochemical characterization confirmed the main differences in sorbent surface area and cation-exchange capacity. The maximum cadmium, zinc, and copper sorption capacities were 1.99, 0.97, and 2.50 mg g(-1) for biochar (BC) A; 7.80, 2.23, and 3.65 mg g(-1) for BC B. Sorption processes can be affected by time and pH. The most of sorbed cadmium and zinc were bound on exchangeable fractions and copper oxidizable fractions. Chemical modification and FT-IR analyses confirmed the crucial roles of hydroxyl and mainly carboxyl functional groups in sorption processes of Cd2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ ions by BC A and BC B. The garden wood rests with leaf mass-derived biochar can be utilized as an effective sorbent for bivalent ions.