The effect of co-pyrolysis temperature for iron-biochar composites on their adsorption behavior of antimonite and antimonate in aqueous solution

Abstract

Iron-biochar is an efficient adsorbent for contaminants, whereas the role of prepared temperature on removal of antimony (Sb) is unacquainted. In this study, the iron-biochar composites (FBC) were fabricated by co-pyrolysis at 500°C and 800°C and applied to remove antimonite (Sb(III)) and antimonate (Sb(V)) in aqueous. The results showed Fe₃O₄ was loaded on biochar prepared at 500°C (FBC500), while FeOOH with zero-valent iron (ZVI) was formed on biochar pyrolyzed at 800°C (FBC800). However, FBC500 showed the maximum absorbance for Sb(V) (30.47 mg/g), and FBC800 had optimal removal efficiency for Sb(III) (52.30 mg/g). The sorption of Sb(III) and Sb(V) on FBC was multilayer heterogeneous chemisorption (complexation and ligand exchange). Sb(III) was oxidized to Sb(V) with less toxicity during the corrosion of ZVI on FBC800, leading to the co-precipitation of Sb₂O₅. The electrostatic interaction affected the adsorption of Sb(V) on FBC500 and FBC800. The FBC800 showed superior reusability and resistance than FBC500.

Keywords: Antimony; Co-pyrolysis; Iron-biochar composites; Prepared temperature; Fe species.