Mechanism of phosphate removal from aqueous solutions by biochar supported nanoscale zero-valent iron

The purpose of this study was to investigate the removal mechanism of phosphate by rape straw biochar (RSBC) supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI). BET, TEM, FTIR and XPS characterizations of the composite material (nZVI-RSBC) indicated that nZVI was successfully supported on the RSBC, and nZVI-RSBC had a high specific surface area and abundant oxygen-containing functional groups. Batch experiments showed that the adsorption data could be fitted well with the Sips isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, suggesting that phosphate adsorption onto RSBC and nZVI-RSBC was due to surface and chemical processes. The maximum adsorption capacities of RSBC and nZVI-RSBC for phosphate obtained by the Sips isotherm model fitting were 3.49 mg g(−1) and 12.14 mg g(−1), respectively. The pH value of the solution greatly affected the adsorption capacity of nZVI-RSBC for phosphate. The combined results of batch experiments and characterizations revealed that the possible mechanism was the complexation of oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of nZVI-RSBC with phosphate, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic attraction between phosphate and the positively charged adsorption sites under acidic conditions. Such a strong adsorption capacity, as well as the characteristics of easy availability, excellent recyclability and low cost, make nZVI-RSBC potentially suitable for the treatment of phosphate-rich water.