Characterization of Biochars Produced by Co-Pyrolysis of Hami Melon (Cantaloupes) Straw Mixed with Polypropylene and Their Adsorption Properties of Cadmium

Changheng Li, Qing Huang, Haixiang Zhang, Qingqing Wang, Rixin Xue, Genmao Guo, Jie Hu, Tinghang Li, Junfeng Wang and Shan Hu
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Changheng Li: College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Qing Huang: College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Haixiang Zhang: College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Qingqing Wang: College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Rixin Xue: College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Genmao Guo: College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Jie Hu: College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Tinghang Li: College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Junfeng Wang: College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Shan Hu: College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: Reuse of waste from Hami melon (cantaloupes) straws (HS) mingled with polypropylene (PP) ropes is necessary and beneficial to mitigate environmental pollution. The objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics and mechanisms of Cd 2+ adsorption on biochars produced by co-pyrolysis of HS-PP with various mixing ratios. N 2 -sorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravity, and differential thermal gravity (TG/DTG) were applied to evaluate the physicochemical properties of materials. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out for investigating the effects of initial pH, Cd 2+ concentration, and adsorption time. It was found that the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models fitted best for the experimental data, indicating the dominant adsorption of co-pyrolysis biochars is via monolayer adsorption. Biochar derived at 4/1 mixing ratio of HS/PP by weight percentage had the highest adsorption capacity of 108.91 mg·g ?1 . Based on adsorption isotherm and kinetic analysis in combined with EDS, FTIR, and XRD analysis, it was concluded that the main adsorption mechanism of co-pyrolysis biochar involved the surface adsorption, cation exchange, complexation of Cd 2+ with surface functional groups, and chemical precipitation. This study also demonstrates that agricultural wastes to biochar is a sustainable way to circular economy.

Keywords: Hami melon straw; polypropylene; co-pyrolysis; biochar; Cd 2+ (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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