Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026
10:44
Preparation of Biomass-based Mesoporous Carbon with Higher Nitrogen-/Oxygen-chelating Adsorption for CuII Through Microwave Pre-Pyrolysis
Published on: February 12, 2019
10.0K
Nanoarchitectonics and Kinetics Insights into Fluoride Removal from Drinking Water Using Magnetic Tea Biochar
Imtiaz Ashraf1, Rong Li1, Bin Chen1
1School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|October 27, 2022
Summary
Magnetic tea biochar effectively removes fluoride from contaminated water, achieving 98% removal efficiency. This low-cost adsorbent is reusable, offering a sustainable solution for water purification and preventing fluorosis.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Water Treatment
Background:
- Fluoride contamination in water poses significant global health risks, including dental and skeletal fluorosis.
- Existing water treatment methods can be costly and less effective for widespread fluoride removal.
- Waste tea leaves represent an underutilized resource for developing sustainable adsorbent materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize low-cost multifunctional tea biochar (TBC) and magnetic tea biochar (MTBC) from waste tea leaves.
- To evaluate the efficiency of MTBC in removing fluoride from contaminated water.
- To investigate the adsorption mechanism and reusability of MTBC for water remediation.
Main Methods:
- Tea biochar (TBC) and magnetic tea biochar (MTBC) were synthesized via facile one-step pyrolysis of waste tea leaves.
- Characterization of TBC and MTBC was performed using XRD, SEM, FTIR, and VSM.
- Fluoride adsorption experiments were conducted using the batch method at varying temperatures (298, 308, 318 K), testing adsorbent dosage and initial fluoride concentration.
Main Results:
- MTBC exhibited a higher surface area (115.65 m²/g) compared to TBC (81.64 m²/g), with both materials containing high carbon content.
- Maximum fluoride removal efficiency (E%) of 98% was achieved using MTBC at an adsorbent dosage of 0.5 g/L and fluoride concentration of 50 mg/L.
- Adsorption data best fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model (qmax = 18.78 mg/g at 298 K). MTBC maintained 85% removal efficiency after ten reuse cycles.
Conclusions:
- Magnetic tea biochar (MTBC) is a highly effective, low-cost adsorbent for removing fluoride from contaminated water.
- The adsorption process is governed by pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm, indicating chemisorption.
- The reusability and high removal efficiency of MTBC demonstrate its potential as a sustainable solution for treating fluoride-containing water.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Microbes and Other Elemental Cycles
Microbial activity plays a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycling of iron and manganese, especially at the redox gradients characteristic of stratified aquatic environments. These cycles are driven by microbial transformations between oxidized and reduced forms of the metals, allowing organisms to exploit them for metabolic energy and structural purposes.Iron Cycling Across Redox GradientsIn neutral, oxygen-rich surface waters, iron is predominantly found in its oxidized, insoluble ferric...
01:25Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium
Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella, which use...
01:27Microbial Leaching
Microbial leaching, also known as bioleaching, is an environmentally favorable method for extracting metals from low-grade ores using specific microorganisms. This biotechnological approach is particularly valuable for mining operations targeting copper, gold, and uranium, where traditional extraction methods may be economically or environmentally impractical.Copper Leaching and Microbial CatalysisIn copper bioleaching, crushed ore is arranged into heaps and irrigated with a dilute sulfuric...