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Chromium removal from aqueous solution using bimetallic Bi0/Cu0-based nanocomposite biochar

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Abstract

Chromium (Cr), due to its greater contamination in aquifers and distinct eco-toxic impacts, is of greater environmental concern. This study aimed to synthesize nanocomposites of almond shells biochar (BC) with zerovalent bismuth and/or copper (Bi0/BC, Cu0/BC, and Bi0–Cu0/BC) for the removal of Cr from aqueous solution. The synthesized nanocomposites were investigated using various characterization techniques such as XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, and EDX. The Cr removal potential by the nanocomposites was explored under different Cr concentrations (25–100 mg/L), adsorbent doses (0.5–2.0 g/L), solution pH (2–8), and contact time (10–160 min). The above-mentioned advanced techniques verified successful formation of Bi0/Cu0 and their composite with BC. The synthesized nanocomposites were highly effective in the removal of Cr. The Bi0–Cu0/BC nano-biocomposites showed higher Cr removal efficiency (92%) compared to Cu0/BC (85%), Bi0/BC (76%), and BC (67%). The prepared nanocomposites led to effective Cr removal at lower Cr concentrations (25 mg/L) and acidic pH (4.0). The Cr solubility changes with pH, resulting in different degrees of Cr removal by Bi0–Cu0/BC, with Cr(VI) being more soluble and easier to adsorb at low pH levels and Cr(III) being less soluble and more difficult to adsorb at high pH levels. The experimental Cr adsorption well fitted with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model (R2 > 0.99) and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Among the prepared nanocomposites, the Bi0–Cu0/BC showed greater stability and reusability. It was established that the as-synthesized Bi0–Cu0/BC nano-biocomposite showed excellent adsorption potential for practical Cr removal from contaminated water.

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Data availability statement

All data produced and analyzed during this study are incorporated in this article and supplementary material.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Distinguished Scientist Fellowship Program (DSFP) at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

The funding was supported by Higher Education Commission, Pakistan, 20-4423/R & D/HEC/14/980, Muhammad Shahid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari, 61100, Pakistan

    Behzad Murtaza, Aqsa Naseer, Muhammad Imran, Noor S. Shah, Muhammad Shahid, Ghulam Abbas, Natasha Natasha & Muhammad Amjad

  2. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Abdullah A. Al-Kahtani & Zeid A. ALOthman

  3. College of Natural and Health Sciences, Zayed University, P.O. Box 144534, Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Jibran Iqbal

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  1. Behzad Murtaza
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  2. Aqsa Naseer
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  4. Noor S. Shah
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  5. Abdullah A. Al-Kahtani
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Contributions

BM perceived the research idea, supervised the research work, write-up of manuscript, and correspondence; AN performed the research work and write-up of first draft; MI, NSS, MA, and GA helped in developing the research idea, co-supervised the research, and reviewed manuscript; AAK and ZAA edited, reviewed, and improved manuscript and also participated in writing and improving the project proposal; JI edited, reviewed, and improved the manuscript; and MS participated in developing the research idea and helped in write-up of initial manuscript draft and final review.

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Correspondence to Behzad Murtaza.

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Murtaza, B., Naseer, A., Imran, M. et al. Chromium removal from aqueous solution using bimetallic Bi0/Cu0-based nanocomposite biochar. Environ Geochem Health 45, 9003–9016 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01630-8

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