Use of Eggshell-Catalyzed Biochar Adsorbents for Pb Removal from Aqueous Solution

[Image: see text] Eggshell is a cheap and environmentally friendly calcium source. In this study, Ca-modified biochar adsorbents (CEA) were prepared by 1:10, 1:2, and 1:1 mass ratio of the eggshell and Eupatorium adenophorum. The CEA-2 sample prepared with a 1:2 mass ratio showed a maximum Pb adsorption capacity (97.74 mg·g(–1)) at the conditions of an initial pH of 7.0, an adsorbent dosage of 0.5 g·L(–1), and a contact time of 8.0 h. The kinetic and isotherm studies indicated that the adsorption process of the CEA-2 sample had monolayer adsorption characteristics, which was controlled together by intraparticle and interface diffusion. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption process of CEA-2 was spontaneous (ΔG(0) <0) and endothermic (ΔH(0) > 0). X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses showed a uniform distribution of Ca–Pb precipitation on the CEA-2 surface, which proved that chemical precipitation was the main adsorption mechanism. Fourier transform infrared spectra found that CEA-2 had abundant active groups, especially nitrogen-containing functional groups, which could adsorb Pb through a surface complexation reaction. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of CEA-2 was found to be 621 m(2)·g(–1), and such developed pores could ensure the smooth diffusion of Pb. Finally, the effect of coexisting cation and anion experiment and the cyclic regeneration experiment indicated that CEA-2 had prominent stability and reusability for Pb adsorption.