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Mechanism of novel MoS2-modified biochar composites for removal of cadmium (II) from aqueous solutions

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a MoS2-impregnated biochar (MoS2@BC) via hydrothermal reaction for adsorption of cadmium (Cd) from an aqueous solution. The prepared adsorbents were characterized, and their abilities to remove Cd(II) were evaluated. The Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models better described the removal of Cd(II) by MoS2@BC. The prepared MoS2@BC exhibited excellent monolayer adsorption capacity. The S-containing functional groups on MoS2@BC enhanced the adsorption of Cd(II). Multiple Cd(II) sorption mechanisms were identified; including Cd(II)-π interactions, ion exchange, electrostatic interaction, and complexation. The dominant mechanism involved Cd-O (38.3%) bonds and Cd-S complexation (61.7%) on MoS2@BC. The as-prepared MoS2@BC is both economical and efficient, making it an excellent material for environmental Cd(II) remediation.

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Acknowledgements

Zulqarnain Haider Khan is thankful to Ms. Anum Naeem Niazi for her moral support and partial assistance in writing the article.

Funding

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41771525) and STU Scientific Research Foundation for Talents (NTF19025).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China

    Zulqarnain Haider Khan, Minling Gao & Zhengguo Song

  2. Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture of China, Tianjin, 300191, China

    Zulqarnain Haider Khan

  3. Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China

    Zulqarnain Haider Khan

  4. The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 4704, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand

    Weiwen Qiu

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  1. Zulqarnain Haider Khan
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  2. Minling Gao
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  4. Zhengguo Song
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Contributions

Zulqarnain Haider Khan preformed laboratory experiments. M.L. Gao and W.W. Qiu provided significant input on experimental design. Z.G. Song conceived of the idea of this study and provided financial means. Zulqarnain Haider Khan and M.L. Gao interpreted histological data. Zulqarnain Haider Khan and Z.G. Song analyzed the data and prepared the manuscript. All authors contributed substantially to revisions.

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Correspondence to Zhengguo Song.

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Khan, Z.H., Gao, M., Qiu, W. et al. Mechanism of novel MoS2-modified biochar composites for removal of cadmium (II) from aqueous solutions. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 34979–34989 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13199-9

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