Separable amino-functionalized biochar/alginate beads for efficient removal of Cr(VI) from original electroplating wastewater at room temperature
Yingnan He, Jianbing Chen, Jiapei Lv, Yimin Huang, Shuxing Zhou, Wenyan Li, Yongtao Li, Fengqin Chang, Hucai Zhang, Thomas Wågberg, Guangzhi Hu
Abstract
An alginate gel bead composite adsorbent with polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a surface modifier and Eichhornia crassipes (EC) biochar, known as EC-alg/PEI-3, was added internally to the adsorb Cr(VI) from an aqueous environment. The functionalized gel beads were characterized using SEM, XPS, FTIR, and other techniques. The maximum adsorption capacities of EC-alg/PEI-3 were 714.3 mg g−1 at 10 °C and 769.2 mg g−1 at 25 °C. In the treatment of highly concentrated electroplating wastewater, EC-alg/PEI-3 can be dosed at 1.4 g L−1 to reduce the concentration of Cr(VI) to below 0.05 ppm. EC-alg/PEI-3 maintained a competitive adsorption capacity after six cycles. This spherical adsorbent material is easy to prepare, has a very high adsorption capacity, is environmentally friendly, and can be easily recycled. The EC-alg/PEI-3 gel beads are promising for the treatment of industrial wastewater.