Physicochemical Characterization of Cherry Pits-Derived Biochar

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemistry

Background:

• Limited exploration of biochar feedstocks for contaminant sorption.
• Need for characterization of novel biochars for water remediation.
• Established use of activated carbon (AC) but with potential for biochar alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• Physicochemically characterize cherry pit biochar (CPB).
• Assess CPB's sorption efficiency for arsenic (AsO43-) and mercury (Hg2+) in aqueous solutions.
• Compare CPB performance against raw cherry pit (CP) and activated carbon (AC).

Main Methods:

• Physicochemical characterization: pH, EC, CEC, surface functional groups (Boehm titration), surface area (SA), elemental analysis (C, H, N), FTIR, SEM-EDX.
• Sorption experiments using AsO43- anions and Hg2+ cations as model contaminants.
• Comparative analysis of CPB, CP, and AC performance.

Main Results:

• CPB exhibited a ninefold increase in surface area and a 26% increase in carbon concentration post-pyrolysis.
• Pyrolysis altered surface functional groups, decreasing carboxyl/lactone and increasing phenolic groups.
• CPB showed higher Hg2+ sorption efficiency than AsO43- sorption efficiency, with CPB < AC for both contaminants.

Conclusions:

• Cherry pit biochar (CPB) is a promising material for mercury (Hg2+) and arsenic (AsO43-) removal from water.
• CPB demonstrates significant potential as a cost-effective and sustainable adsorbent.
• Further research into biochar applications for water treatment is warranted.