Magnesium-Palm Kernel Shell Biochar Composite for Effective Methylene Blue Removal: Optimization via Response Surface Methodology

This study investigates the properties and potential application of Mg-PKS biochar composite for methylene blue solution (MB) adsorption. The Mg-PKS biochar composite was developed from palm kernel shell biochar via steam activation followed by MgSO4 treatment and carbonization. The effect of process parameters such as solution pH (4-10), contact time (30-90 min) and adsorbent dosage (0.1-0.5 g) were investigated via central composite design, response surface methodology. Results revealed that the Mg-PKS biochar composite has irregular shapes pore structure from SEM analysis, a surface area of 674 m2g-1 and average pore diameters of 7.2195 μm based on BET analysis. RSM results showed that the optimum adsorption of MB onto Mg-biochar composite was at pH 10, 30 min contact time and 0.5 g/100 mL dosage with a removal efficiency of 98.50%. In conclusion, Mg treatment is a potential alternative to other expensive chemical treatment methods for biochar upgrading to the adsorbent

Chemically Modified Sago Fly Ash for Pb(II) Removal from Water

The use of agricultural by-products has been widely studied to develop effective and inexpensive adsorbent for heavy metal removal. In this study, sago (M.sagu) fly ash (FA) was chemically modified to afford an operational adsorbent for Pb(II) elimination from water. Chemical modification was carried out via acid-base treatment using NaOH and HCl. The chemically modified fly ash (MFA) was characterized via proximate, surface morphology, and functional groups' surface area analyses. The effects of adsorption parameters, namely, Pb(II) initial concentration, sorbent dosage and contact time on the eradication of Pb(II) by MFA was analyzed in batch experiments with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Optimization of Pb(II) removal by MFA was studied via response surface methodology (RSM) approach. Results revealed that chemical modification has successfully enhanced the adsorptive properties of MFA (BET surface area: 231.4 m2 /g, fixed carbon: 55.83%). MFA exhibits better Pb(II) removal efficiency (90.8%) compared to FA (63.6%) at the following adsorption condition: Pb(II) initial concentration (5 ppm), contact time (30 min) and agitation speed (150 rpm). The adsorption of Pb(II) by FA and MFA fitted well with Freundlich isotherm (R2>0.9). RSM study suggested that the optimum Pb(II) removal was 99.4% at the following conditions: Pb(II) initial concentration (20 ppm), contact time (2 h) and sorbent dosage (0.6 g/50 mL). The results concluded the potential optimum operational condition for Pb(II) removal from aqueous environment by MFA as a low cost adsorbent, at larger scale

Heavy Metal Adsorbent of Carbon from Sago Liquid Biowaste for Sustainable Technology

Sarawak is one of the world's largest exporters of sago flour, from which the processing leads to a generation of biowaste in a significant amount. Thus, utilization of biowaste is crucial to create a zero-waste sago processing industry. In this work, the heavy metal adsorbent was prepared from sago-activated sludge via microwave technology. Sago effluent was treated via an activated sludge process to produce biomass, followed by microwave pyrolysis and chemical activation using NaOH. The efficiency of the adsorbent for adsorption of Cr, Pb and Zn in aqueous solution was studied at pH 2, contact time (24 h), adsorbent dosage (0.2–1 g/50 mL), and initial concentration (5–25 mg/L). Physicochemical analyses showed that the adsorbent has an average pore size of 36.29 μmand BET surface area of 471.1m2/g. The maximum removal of heavy metals was: Pb (89.8%), Cr (47.0%) and Zn (18.4%) at adsorbent dosage (1 g/50 mL), initial concentration (5 mg/L), mixing speed (150 rpm) and contact time (24 h). The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm studies showed that Qe for Pb removal by sludge activated carbon was 3.202 × 10–3 mg/g. The results indicated the potential application of sago-activated carbon for the removal of heavy metals, especially Pb from wastewater. Further isotherm study for the occurrence of chemisorptions process could be beneficial, which at the same creating a zero-waste sago processing industry for sustainable technolog

Coconut Shell Biochar for Removal of Cu(II) from Aqueous Solution

The ability of coconut shell biochar (CSB) and acid-base modified coconut shell biochar (MCSB) for the removal of copper (Cu(II)) from aqueous solution is examined. The basic characteristics of CSB as well as MCSB such as proximate analysis, pH value, surface area, surface morphology and surface functional groups are investigated. The individual effect of initial concentration and contact time on the removal efficiency of Cu(II) by CSB and MCSB was determined using one variable at a time (OVAT) approach. In addition, the response surface methodology (RSM) approach is applied to determine the combined effects of variables (pH, contact time and particle size) on the removal efficiency of Cu(II) ion. The RSM results for the MCSB showed that Cu(II) maximum removal efficiency is 99.50% at pH 7, contact time of 60 min, and particle size of 0.60 mm, respectively. It can be concluded that MCSB has greater potential than CSB to be utilized as an adsorbent for Cu(II) removal in water bodies

Chemically Modified Palm Kernel Shell Biochar for Methylene Blue Removal A Response Surface Methodology Approach

Biochar has emerged as a prominent adsorbent in reducing the bioavailability of organic pollutants in water bodies due to its properties such as large surface area, porous structure, enhanced surface functional groups, and inorganic components. However, these properties can be further enriched and improved to increase the removal efficiency of contaminants to develop biochar as a better adsorbent. Further enhancement of biochar properties can be accomplished via chemical modification. This study focuses on the development and characterization of chemically modified palm kernel shell (PKS) biochar using ethanol (EtOH), methanol (MeOH), and magnesium (Mg) for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. Characterization of chemically modified biochar, such as ultimate analysis, proximate analysis, SEM analysis, BET analysis, and FTIR analysis, were also investigated. Based on the results, both SEM and BET analysis revealed a notable increase in the size and amount of pores on the surface of biochar and its surface area where Mg-treated PKS displayed the highest surface area of 674 m2g-1. Batch adsorption was conducted at different initial concentrations and contact times. Mg-treated PKS biochar was chosen for optimization study via the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach since it gave the highest removal efficiency in both batch experiments. RSM was conducted to study the effects of pH of the solution (pH 4-10), contact time (30-90 min), and adsorbent dosage (0.1-0.5 g). The optimal conditions for the adsorption of MB onto Mg-treated PKS biochar were found to be at a pH value of 10 with a contact time of 30 minutes and a dosage of 0.5 gram with a percentage removal of 98.50%. All chemically modified PKS biochar are proven to be successful in removing MB from an aqueous solution compared to untreated PKS biochar

Ethanol, Methanol, and Magnesium-Treated Palm Kernel Shell Biochar for Methylene Blue Removal: Adsorption Isotherms

ABSTRACT Introduction: Biochar’s adsorbent attributes, for instance, surface area, porous structure, surface functionality, and adsorption capacity, can be enhanced via suitable chemical modification. Objective: This work aimed to study the effect of ethanol (EtOH), methanol (MeOH), and magnesium (Mg) treatment on adsorbent properties of palm kernel shell (PKS) biochar. Methods: The PKS biochar was obtained through fast carbonization in a rotary kiln (800 ºC, 10 min) followed by steam activation (8 h). Both the EtOH and MeOH treated biochar were afforded via EtOH and MeOH treatment of PKS biochar, respectively, in the presence of HCl (6 h), followed by rinsing, filtering, and oven-drying. Mg treated biochar was obtained by soaking the PKS biochar with MgSO4 .7H2O at 30 ºC for 60 h. The EtOH, MeOH, and Mg treated biochars were characterized via proximate analysis, functional group analysis, surface area, and pore volume analyses. A batch adsorption study was conducted for adsorption of methylene blue (MB) by each EtOH, MeOH, and Mg treated biochar, respectively. Results: Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis indicated that carbonization and chemical treatment has successfully enhanced the surface area with raw PKS (0.848 m2g-1), PKS biochar (592 m2g-1), EtOH-treated biochar (647 m2g-1), MeOH-treated biochar (663 m2g-1), and Mg-treated biochar (674 m2 g-1). Batch adsorption studies showed that the highest methylene blue (MB) removal percentage for all studied biochar occurred at an initial concentration of 7 ppm (PKS biochar: 93.12%, EtOH-treated PKS biochar: 94.79%, MeOH-treated PKS biochar: 95.79%, and Mg-treated PKS biochar: 98.51%). Conclusion: The EtOH, MeOH, and Mg treated PKS biochar gave high MB removal and thus, could potentially serve as efficient adsorbents for removal of dyes from wastewater. Key Words: Carbonization, Biochar, Palm kernel shell, Chemical treatment, Engineered biocha