A bi-functionalized biochar transcending electrostatic repulsion via localized cationic domains for selective...

Antimony (Sb) contamination in aquatic environments poses a significant threat to public health, creating an urgent need for efficient remediation technologies with broad pH applicability. In this study, a dual-molecule composite adsorbent (Lc@PPLB) was fabricated by grafting polyethyleneimine (PEI) and L-cysteine onto a lignin-derived biochar for the selective removal of pentavalent antimony, Sb(V). By generating localized cationic domains, the adsorbent effectively transcended electrostatic repulsion to achieve an outstanding maximum adsorption capacity of 566.3 mg/g at pH 3. It also exhibited high selectivity, robust performance in real water matrices, and excellent stability, maintaining over 90 % of its initial efficiency after ten consecutive cycles. Density functional theory calculations confirmed a synergistic mechanism involving electrostatic guidance by PEI and strong chemical complexation with L-cysteine/cystine groups. Critically, this work introduces a novel circular economy concept, the spent, Sb-laden adsorbent was directly repurposed into a high-performance anode for sodium-ion batteries, delivering a stable capacity of 203.9 mAh/g after 200 cycles. This study therefore presents a versatile synergistic design that integrates efficient environmental remediation with sustainable resource valorization.