Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Industrial lignins: the potential for efficient removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Cr(VI), a serious threat to human health, widely exists in the effluents of various industrial processes. In this paper, the potential of industrial lignin for efficient removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater was systematically investigated, including pulping black liquor lignin (BLN), enzymolysis lignin (ELN), and SPORL pretreatment spent liquor (FS). The structure characterizations of three lignins were investigated by thermogravimetry (TG), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurement, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Among these three lignins, BLN showed the highest adsorption amount of Cr(VI) and good selectivity in wastewater simulation. According to the Langmuir model, the calculated maximum adsorption amount of Cr(VI) on ELN, BLN, and FS was 801.57, 864.30, and 642.26 mg g−1, respectively. The adsorption of Cr(VI) by industrial lignins was a chemisorption process, during which Cr(VI) was reduced to low-toxic Cr(III). This paper provided a promising application for the effective utilization of industrial lignins.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Anirudhan TS, Nima J, Divya PL (2013) Adsorption of chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions by glycidylmethacrylate-grafted-densified cellulose with quaternary ammonium groups. Appl Surf Sci 279:441–449

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Antunes E, Jacob MV, Brodie G, Schneider PA (2017) Silver removal from aqueous solution by biochar produced from biosolids via microwave pyrolysis. J Environ Manag 203:264–272

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatti HN, Mahmood Z, Kausar A, Yakout SM, Shair OH, Iqbal M (2020) Biocomposites of polypyrrole, polyaniline and sodium alginate with cellulosic biomass: adsorption-desorption, kinetics and thermodynamic studies for the removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol. Int J Biol Macromol 153:146–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cha YL, Alam AM, Park SM, Moon YH, Kim KS, Lee JE, Kwon DE, Kang YG (2020) Hydrothermal-process-based direct extraction of polydisperse lignin microspheres from black liquor and their physicochemical characterization. Bioresour Technol 297:122399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Z, Wan C (2017) Biological valorization strategies for converting lignin into fuels and chemicals. Renew Sust Energ Rev 73:610–621

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen S, Wang J, Wu Z, Deng Q, Tu W, Dai G, Zeng Z, Deng S (2018) Enhanced Cr(VI) removal by polyethylenimine- and phosphorus-codoped hierarchical porous carbons. J Colloid Interface Sci 523:110–120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen W, Li K, Chen Z, Xia M, Chen Y, Yang H, Chen X, Chen H (2020) A new insight into chemical reactions between biomass and alkaline additives during pyrolysis process. Proc Combust Inst 38:3881–3890

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chi Z, Hao L, Dong H, Yu H, Liu H, Wang Z, Yu H (2020) The innovative application of organosolv lignin for nanomaterial modification to boost its heavy metal detoxification performance in the aquatic environment. Chem Eng J 382:122789

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dai G, Zou Q, Wang S, Zhao Y, Zhu L, Huang Q (2017) Effect of torrefaction on the structure and pyrolysis behavior of lignin. Energy Fuel 32:4160–4166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Das S, Mukherjee M, Guha A (2008) Interaction of chromium with resistant strain Aspergillus versicolor: investigation with atomic force microscopy and other physical studies. Langmuir 24:8643–8650

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dhyani V, Bhaskar T (2018) A comprehensive review on the pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. Renew Energy 129:695–716

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Djellabi R, Yang B, Wang Y, Cui X, Zhao X (2019) Carbonaceous biomass-titania composites with Ti O C bonding bridge for efficient photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) under narrow visible light. Chem Eng J 366:172–180

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foo KY, Hameed BH (2010) Insights into the modeling of adsorption isotherm systems. Chem Eng J 156:2–10

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu K, Yue Q, Gao B, Sun Y, Zhu L (2013) Preparation, characterization and application of lignin-based activated carbon from black liquor lignin by steam activation. Chem Eng J 228:1074–1082

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gan C, Liu Y, Tan X, Wang S, Zeng G, Zheng B, Li T, Jiang Z, Liu W (2015) Effect of porous zinc–biochar nanocomposites on Cr(vi) adsorption from aqueous solution. RSC Adv 5:35107–35115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gao Y, Yue Q, Gao B, Sun Y, Wang W, Li Q, Wang Y (2013) Preparation of high surface area-activated carbon from lignin of papermaking black liquor by KOH activation for Ni(II) adsorption. Chem Eng J 217:345–353

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ge Y, Li Z (2018) Application of lignin and its derivatives in adsorption of heavy metal ions in water: a review. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 6:7181–7192

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gregorová A, Košíková B, Moravčík R (2006) Stabilization effect of lignin in natural rubber. Polym Degrad Stab 91:229–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo Z, Zhang J, Liu H, Kang Y (2017) Development of a nitrogen-functionalized carbon adsorbent derived from biomass waste by diammonium hydrogen phosphate activation for Cr(VI) removal. Powder Technol 318:459–464

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta VK, Pathania D, Sharma S, Agarwal S, Singh P (2013) Remediation of noxious chromium (VI) utilizing acrylic acid grafted lignocellulosic adsorbent. J Mol Liq 177:343–352

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kesaano M, Sims RC (2014) Algal biofilm based technology for wastewater treatment. Algal Res 5:231–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kwak HW, Kim MK, Lee JY, Yun H, Kim MH, Park YH, Lee KH (2015) Preparation of bead-type biosorbent from water-soluble Spirulina platensis extracts for chromium (VI) removal. Algal Res 7:92–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lauwaert J, Stals I, Lancefield CS, Deschaumes W, Depuydt D, Vanlerberghe B, Devlamynck T, Bruijnincx PCA, Verberckmoes A (2019) Pilot scale recovery of lignin from black liquor and advanced characterization of the final product. Sep Purif Technol 221:226–235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li C, Zhao X, Wang A, Huber GW, Zhang T (2015) Catalytic transformation of lignin for the production of chemicals and fuels. Chem Rev 115:11559–11624

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Chen J, Ge Y (2017) Removal of lead ion and oil droplet from aqueous solution by lignin-grafted carbon nanotubes. Chem Eng J 308:809–817

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Zhang J, Liu H (2018) In-situ modification of activated carbon with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt during phosphoric acid activation for enhancement of nickel removal. Powder Technol 325:113–120

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liang Y, Duan W, An X, Qiao Y, Tian Y, Zhou H (2020) Novel betaine-amino acid based natural deep eutectic solvents for enhancing the enzymatic hydrolysis of corncob. Bioresour Technol 310:123389

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luo M, Lin H, Li B, Dong Y, He Y, Wang L (2018) A novel modification of lignin on corncob-based biochar to enhance removal of cadmium from water. Bioresour Technol 259:312–318

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma X, Zhang F, Zhu J, Yu L, Liu X (2014) Preparation of highly developed mesoporous activated carbon fiber from liquefied wood using wood charcoal as additive and its adsorption of methylene blue from solution. Bioresour Technol 164:1–6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma H, Yang J, Gao X, Liu Z, Liu X, Xu Z (2019) Removal of chromium (VI) from water by porous carbon derived from corn straw: influencing factors, regeneration and mechanism. J Hazard Mater 369:550–560

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Martins AC, Pezoti O, Cazetta AL, Bedin KC, Yamazaki DAS, Bandoch GFG, Asefa T, Visentainer JV, Almeida VC (2015) Removal of tetracycline by NaOH-activated carbon produced from macadamia nut shells: kinetic and equilibrium studies. Chem Eng J 260:291–299

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Memon JR, Memon SQ, Bhanger MI, El-Turki A, Hallam KR, Allen GC (2009) Banana peel: a green and economical sorbent for the selective removal of Cr(VI) from industrial wastewater. Colloids Surf B: Biointerfaces 70:232–237

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mushtaq M, Bhatti HN, Iqbal M, Noreen S (2016) Eriobotrya japonica seed biocomposite efficiency for copper adsorption: isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamic and desorption studies. J Environ Manag 176:21–33

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naushad M, Ahamad T, AlOthman ZA, Al-Muhtaseb AH (2019) Green and eco-friendly nanocomposite for the removal of toxic Hg(II) metal ion from aqueous environment: adsorption kinetics & isotherm modelling. J Mol Liq 279:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nowakowski DJ, Bridgwater AV, Elliott DC, Meier D, de Wild P (2010) Lignin fast pyrolysis: results from an international collaboration. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 88:53–72

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pan Y, Cai P, Farmahini-Farahani M, Li Y, Hou X, Xiao H (2016) Amino-functionalized alkaline clay with cationic star-shaped polymer as adsorbents for removal of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution. Appl Surf Sci 385:333–340

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pham TD, Tran TT, Le VA, Pham TT, Dao TH, Le TS (2019) Adsorption characteristics of molecular oxytetracycline onto alumina particles: the role of surface modification with an anionic surfactant. J Mol Liq 287:110900

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pham TD, Pham TT, Phan MN, Ngo TMV, Dang VD, Vu CM (2020) Adsorption characteristics of anionic surfactant onto laterite soil with differently charged surfaces and application for cationic dye removal. J Mol Liq 301:301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pham T-D, Le T-M-A, Pham T-M-Q, Dang V-H, Vu K-L, Tran T-K, Hoang T-H (2021) Synthesis and characterization of novel hybridized CeO2@ SiO2 nanoparticles based on rice husk and their application in antibiotic removal. Langmuir 37:2963–2973

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Popovic AL, Rusmirovic JD, Velickovic Z, Radovanovic Z, Ristic M, Pavlovic VP, Marinkovic AD (2020) Novel amino-functionalized lignin microspheres: high performance biosorbent with enhanced capacity for heavy metal ion removal. Int J Biol Macromol 156:1160–1173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qi W, Zhao Y, Zheng X, Ji M, Zhang Z (2016) Adsorption behavior and mechanism of Cr(VI) using Sakura waste from aqueous solution. Appl Surf Sci 360:470–476

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ralph J, Lapierre C, Boerjan W (2019) Lignin structure and its engineering. Curr Opin Biotechnol 56:240–249

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shi X, Qiao Y, An X, Tian Y, Zhou H (2020) High-capacity adsorption of Cr(VI) by lignin-based composite: characterization, performance and mechanism. Int J Biol Macromol 159:839–849

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singha B, Das SK (2011) Biosorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions: kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics and desorption studies. Colloids Surf B: Biointerfaces 84:221–232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tejado A, Pena C, Labidi J, Echeverria J, Mondragon I (2007) Physico-chemical characterization of lignins from different sources for use in phenol-formaldehyde resin synthesis. Bioresour Technol 98:1655–1663

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Terrell E, Carré V, Dufour A, Aubriet F, Le Brech Y, Garcia-Pérez M (2020) Contributions to lignomics: stochastic generation of oligomeric lignin structures for interpretation of MALDI–FT-ICR-MS results. ChemSusChem 13:4428–4445

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tomczyk A, Sokołowska Z, Boguta P (2020) Biomass type effect on biochar surface characteristic and adsorption capacity relative to silver and copper. Fuel 278:118168

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Truong TTT, Vu TN, Dinh TD, Pham TT, Nguyen TAH, Nguyen MH, Nguyen TD, Yusa S-i, Pham TD (2021) Adsorptive removal of cefixime using a novel adsorbent based on synthesized polycation coated nanosilica rice husk. Prog Org Coat 158

  • Wang J, Chen C (2009) Biosorbents for heavy metals removal and their future. Biotechnol Adv 27:195–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu W, Zhou H (2021) One-pot preparation of NaBiO3/PNMA composite: surface properties and photocatalytic performance. Appl Surf Sci 544:148910

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu F, Sun J-X, Sun R, Fowler P, Baird MS (2006) Comparative study of organosolv lignins from wheat straw. Ind Crop Prod 23:180–193

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ko Y, Choi U, Kim T, Ahn D, Chun Y (2002) FT-IR and isotherm study on anion adsorption onto novel chelating fibers. Macromol Rapid Commun 23:535–539

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yadav S, Srivastava V, Banerjee S, Weng C-H, Sharma YC (2013) Adsorption characteristics of modified sand for the removal of hexavalent chromium ions from aqueous solutions: kinetic, thermodynamic and equilibrium studies. Catena 100:120–127

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yi Y, Tu G, Zhao D, Tsang PE, Fang Z (2019) Biomass waste components significantly influence the removal of Cr(VI) using magnetic biochar derived from four types of feedstocks and steel pickling waste liquor. Chem Eng J 360:212–220

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang M, Resende FLP, Moutsoglou A, Raynie DE (2012) Pyrolysis of lignin extracted from prairie cordgrass, aspen, and Kraft lignin by Py-GC/MS and TGA/FTIR. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 98:65–71

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Y-J, Ou J-L, Duan Z-K, Xing Z-J, Wang Y (2015) Adsorption of Cr(VI) on bamboo bark-based activated carbon in the absence and presence of humic acid. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 481:108–116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Lv L, Qin Y, Xu M, Jia X, Chen Z (2018) Removal of aqueous Cr(VI) by a magnetic biochar derived from Melia azedarach wood. Bioresour Technol 256:1–10

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Y, Jing S, Peng X, Chen Z, Hu Y, Zhuo H, Sun R, Zhong L (2020a) Synthesizing green carbon dots with exceptionally high yield from biomass hydrothermal carbon. Cellulose 27:415–428

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Y, Tian Y, Zhou H, Tian Y (2020b) Hydrothermal conversion of black liquor to phenolics and hydrochar: characterization, application and comparison with lignin. Fuel 280:118651

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Y, Zhang H, Zong P, Zhou H, Tian Y (2021) Evaluation of pyrolysis characteristics and product distribution of black liquor using Py-GC/MS and down tube reactor: comparison with lignin. Fuel 292:120286

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou H, Chang Y, Wu X, Yang D, Qiu X (2015) Horseradish peroxidase modification of sulfomethylated wheat straw alkali lignin to improve its dispersion performance. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 3:518–523

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou H, Qiu X, Yang D, Xie S (2016a) Laccase and xylanase incubation enhanced the sulfomethylation reactivity of alkali lignin. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 4:1248–1254

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou H, Yang D, Zhu JY (2016b) Molecular structure of sodium lignosulfonate from different sources and their properties as dispersant of TiO2 slurry. J Dispers Sci Technol 37:296–303

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou H, Gleisner R, Zhu JY, Tian Y, Qiao Y (2018) SPORL pretreatment spent liquors enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and ethanol production from glucose. Energy Fuel 32:7636–7642

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou H, Shi X, Wu W, An X, Tian Y, Qiao Y (2020) Facile preparation of lignosulfonate/N-methylaniline composite and its application in efficient removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Int J Biol Macromol 154:1194–1204

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Thanks for the instrument support provided by Shandong University of Science and Technology.

Funding

This paper was funded by the financial support of the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2020MB139), SDUST Research Fund (2018YQJH102), and Qingchuang Science and Technology Program of Shandong Province University (2019KJD004).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Low Carbon Energy and Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 277590, China

    Hao Zhang & Haifeng Zhou

Authors
  1. Hao Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Haifeng Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

H. Zhang completed the overall design of the experiment and completed the first draft of the manuscript; H. Zhou provided key ideas for the experiment, and completed writing—reviewing and editing of the article, as well as the financial support.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Haifeng Zhou.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Tito Roberto Cadaval Jr

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

ESM 1

(DOCX 854 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, ., Zhou, H. Industrial lignins: the potential for efficient removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 10467–10481 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16402-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16402-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation