Abstract
In the context of increasing pollution of almost all environmental media, there is a need for efficient and sustainable techniques to remove contaminants. Here, we review the biochar-supported nano-zero-valent iron composites with focus on their synthesis from wood, sludges and agricultural waste, and on their application to the removal of heavy metals in waters and soils. We also discuss removal mechanisms. We observe that metal removal rates of 90% and above can be achieved. The composite performance is influenced by the biochar feedstock, the pyrolysis temperature, generally within 300–1000 °C, and the iron/carbon ratio, e.g. 4:1, 2:1, and 1:2. Removal mechanisms include adsorption, reduction, and co-precipitation. We also discuss the optimization of preparation methods, their application in real environments, and the removal mechanisms for complex pollutants.
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Abbreviations
- As:
-
Arsenic
- As3+ :
-
Arsenic(III) ion
- As5+ :
-
Arsenic(VI) ion
- As2O3 :
-
Arsenic trioxide
- As2O5 :
-
Arsenic pentoxide
- Cd:
-
Cadmium
- Cd2+ :
-
Cadmium(II) ion
- -COOH:
-
Carboxyl
- Cr:
-
Chromium
- Cr3+ :
-
Chromium(III) ion
- Cr6+ :
-
Chromium(VI) ion
- Cr(OH)3 :
-
Chromium hydroxide
- CrxFe1-x(OH)3 :
-
Co-precipitation of Chromium(III) and Ferrum(III) ion
- Cu:
-
Copper
- Cu2+ :
-
Copper(II) ion
- Fe:
-
Ferrum
- Fe2+ :
-
Ferrum(II) ion
- Fe3+ :
-
Ferrum(III) ion
- Fe/C:
-
Iron/carbon
- Fe(II,III)H2AsO3 :
-
Ferrous-ferric hydrogen Arsenite
- Fe(II,III)H2AsO4 :
-
Ferrous-ferric hydrogen Arsenate
- Fe(II,III)OH:
-
Ferrous-ferric hydroxide
- FeOOH:
-
Iron hydroxide oxide
- Fe(As)OOH:
-
Iron (Arsenic) hydroxide oxide
- ≡FeCdOH:
-
Iron cadmium hydroxide
- H+ :
-
Hydrogen ion
- Hg2+ :
-
Mercury(II) ion
- KOH:
-
Potassium hydroxide
- Mo:
-
Molybdenum
- Mo6+ :
-
Molybdenum(VI) ion
- NaOH:
-
Sodium hydroxide
- NR:
-
Not reported
- nZVI:
-
Nano-zero-valent iron
- nZVI/BC:
-
Biochar-supported nano-zero-valent iron composites
- O2 :
-
Oxygen
- -OH:
-
Oxhydryl
- Pb:
-
Lead
- Pb2+ :
-
Lead(II) ion
- T:
-
Time
- T:
-
Temperature
- U:
-
Uranium
- U6+ :
-
Uranium(VI) ion
- UV:
-
Ultraviolet
- V:
-
Vanadium
- V5+ :
-
Vanadium(V) ion
- Zn2+ :
-
Zinc(II) ion
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This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22106028) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (FRF-TP-19-020A1).
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All authors contributed to the study's conception and design. XZ was involved in material preparation, data collection, review writing, and figure drawing. HJ assisted in the conceptualization, initial literature searches, and supervision. YL and XW were involved in editing and funding acquisition. MW, WH, and MZ contributed to the revision of the manuscript.
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Zhong, X., Lai, Y., Wang, X. et al. Synthesis and environmental applications of biochar-supported nano-zero-valent iron composites: a review. Environ Chem Lett 22, 1345–1363 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-024-01712-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-024-01712-8