Highly efficient removal of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) by biochar derived from Artemisia argyi stem

In this work, a novel biochar was prepared from the Artemisia argyi stem at 300 °C (AS300), 450 °C (AS450), and 600 °C (AS600). The structural properties of these biochars were characterized with various tools. The sorption kinetic processes of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) onto these biochars were better described by the pseudo-second order. The sorption isotherm processes of Cr(VI) onto these biochars were better described by the Freundlich model while the adsorption processes of Cu(II) were consistent with the Langmuir model. Batch sorption experiments showed that AS600 had the maximum adsorption capacity to Cr(VI) and Cu(II) with 161.92 and 155.96 mg/g, respectively. AS600 was selected for the follow-up batch and dynamic adsorption experiments. Results showed that AS600 had larger adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) at lower pH while the larger adsorption capacity for Cu(II) was found at higher pH. The effect of ionic strength on the adsorption of Cu(II) by AS600 was greater than that on the adsorption of Cr(VI). Dynamic adsorption experiments showed that Cu(II) had a higher affinity for the adsorption sites on the AS600 compared with Cr(VI). The adsorption mechanisms mainly involved electrostatic attraction, ion exchange, pore filling, and chemical bonding effect. Graphical abstract.