The potential adsorption mechanism of the biochars with different modification processes to Cr(VI)

Modified biochar has attracted wide attention due to its advantageous adsorption performance. However, the influence of modification process of biochar on adsorption capacity was seldom studied. In this study, biochar derived from corn stalks was modified through two kinds of modification processes: pre-pyrolysis (MBCpre) and post-pyrolysis (MBCpost) modification with citric acid, sodium hydroxide, ferric chloride, respectively. The results showed that the biochar modified by ferric chloride (MBC) provided better adsorption capacity for Cr(VI), and the pre-pyrolysis offered more favorable adsorption capacity for biochar than post-pyrolysis. By means of instrumental analysis, it was found that MBCpre owned highly dispersed Fe₃O₄ particles and larger surface area, which could be the critical role for enhancing the adsorption capacity of MBCpre. Meanwhile, MBCpost appeared more protonated oxygen-rich functional groups(C=O, -OH, etc.) and adsorbed Cr(VI) by electrostatic attraction and complexation. This study will offer a novel idea for the treatment of chromium-containing wastewater by selecting the modification processes of biochar. Graphical abstract.