Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Facile fabrication and characterization of kenaf core as natural biochar for the highly efficient removal of selected endocrine-disrupting compounds

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aims to formulate and fabricate the optimum condition of modified kenaf core (MKC) for the removal of targeted endocrine-disrupting compounds in a batch adsorption system. Kenaf core was chemically modified using phosphoric acid as an activating agent, which involved the pyrolysis step. Results indicated a significant difference (p < 0.05) for unmodified and novel modified biochar, observed in characteristic performance analysis via ultimate analysis, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum, and Brunauer–Emmett–teller (BET) surface area. The removal percentage of 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in individual and binary mixture systems was examined in order to ascertain the highest removal percentage for MKC application in an aqueous solution. The main and interaction effects of three prepared variables such as incorporate of impregnation concentration of an acid catalyst (0.1–1.0 M), particle size (45–1,000 µm), and dosage (1.0–20.0 g/L) were examined and statistically analyzed via design of experiment (DoE) through developed quadratic models. The removal efficiency of E2 and EE2 in an individual system leads to T2KC > T1KC > T3KC, whereas that in the binary mixture system leads to T2KC > T1KC > T3KC and T1KC > T2KC > T3KC for E2 and EE2 adsorption, respectively, through hydrogen bonding and the π–π interaction mechanism. Thus, the findings revealed T2KC at a moderate level of acid concentration (0.5 M H3PO4) to be a potential biochar, with an environmentally safe and sound profile for opposing emerging pollutant issues as well as for the attainment of sustainable development goals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Code availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Ahmed, M. B., Zhou, J. L., Ngo, H. H., Johir, M. A. H., & Sornalingam, K. (2018). Sorptive removal of phenolic endocrine disruptors by functionalized biochar: Competitive interaction mechanism, removal efficacy and application in wastewater. Chemical Engineering Journal, 335, 801–811.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alemdar, A., & Sain, M. (2008). Biocomposites from wheat straw nanofibers: Morphology, thermal and mechanical properties. Composites Science and Technology, 68(2), 557–565.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aris, A. Z., Shamsuddin, A. S., & Praveena, S. M. (2014). Occurrence of 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) in the environment and effect on exposed biota: A review. Environment International, 69, 104–119.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bai, X., Qin, C., Feng, R., & Ye, Z. (2017). Binary adsorption of 17β-estradiol and bisphenol A on superparamagnetic amino-functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposites. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 189, 96–104.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biswas, B., Pandey, N., Bisht, Y., Singh, R., Kumar, J., & Bhaskar, T. (2017). Pyrolysis of agricultural biomass residues: Comparative study of corn cob, wheat straw, rice straw and rice husk. Bioresource Technology, 237, 57–63.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury, Z. Z., Hamid, S. B. A., Das, R., Hasan, M. R., Zain, S. M., Khalid, K., & Uddin, M. N. (2013). Preparation of carbonaceous adsorbents from lignocellulosic biomass and their use in removal of contaminants from aqueous solution. BioResources, 8(4), 6523–6555.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbett, J. F. (1972). Pseudo first-order kinetics. Journal of Chemical Education, 49(10), 663.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drug Bank. (2016). The drugbank database. Estradiol. Available: https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00783 visited at 05/08/2019

  • Duan, Q., Li, X., Wu, Z., Alsaedi, A., Hayat, T., Chen, C., & Li, J. (2019). Adsorption of 17β-estradiol from aqueous solutions by a novel hierarchically nitrogen-doped porous carbon. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 533, 700–708.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feng, Y., Zhang, Z., Gao, P., Su, H., Yu, Y., & Ren, N. (2010). Adsorption behavior of EE2 (17α-ethinylestradiol) onto the inactivated sewage sludge: Kinetics, thermodynamics and influence factors. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 175(1–3), 970–976.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fredj, S. B., Nobbs, J., Tizaoui, C., & Monser, L. (2015). Removal of estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) from wastewater by liquid–liquid extraction. Chemical Engineering Journal, 262, 417–426.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghemit, R., Makhloufi, A., Djebri, N., Flilissa, A., Zerroual, L., & Boutahala, M. (2019). Adsorptive removal of diclofenac and ibuprofen from aqueous solution by organobentonites: Study in single and binary systems. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 8, 520–529.

    Google Scholar 

  • González-Martín, M. L., Valenzuela-Calahorro, C., & Gómez-Serrano, V. (1994). Characterization study of carbonaceous materials. Calorimetric heat of adsorption of p-nitrophenol. Langmuir, 10(3), 844–854.

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, X., Li, Z., Sun, J., Luo, C., Li, L., Liu, Y., & Lian, H. (2015). Stealth CD44-targeted hyaluronic acid supramolecular nanoassemblies for doxorubicin delivery: Probing the effect of uncovalent pegylation degree on cellular uptake and blood long circulation. Journal of Controlled Release, 197, 29–40.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iakovleva, E., & Sillanpää, M. (2013). The use of low-cost adsorbents for wastewater purification in mining industries. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20(11), 7878–7899.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Idan, I. J., Abdullah, L. C., Choong, T. S., & Jamil, S. N. A. B. M. (2018). Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic adsorption studies of acid dyes on adsorbent developed from kenaf core fiber. Adsorption Science & Technology, 36(1–2), 694–712.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Irmak, S., & Öztürk, İ. (2010). Hydrogen rich gas production by thermocatalytic decomposition of kenaf biomass. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 35(11), 5312–5317.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ismail, N. A. H., Wee, S. Y., Kamarulzaman, N. H., & Aris, A. Z. (2019). Quantification of multi-classes of endocrine-disrupting compounds in estuarine water. Environmental Pollution, 249, 1019–1028.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, L. H., Liu, Y. G., Zeng, G. M., Xiao, F. Y., Hu, X. J., Hu, X., & Tan, X. F. (2016). Removal of 17β-estradiol by few-layered graphene oxide nanosheets from aqueous solutions: External influence and adsorption mechanism. Chemical Engineering Journal, 284, 93–102.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, A. C., & Sumpter, J. P. (2001). Removal of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in activated sludge treatment works. Environmental Science & Technology, 35(24), 4697–4703.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jonoobi, M., Harun, J., Mishra, M., & Oksman, K. (2009). Chemical composition, crystallinity and thermal degradation of bleached and unbleached kenaf bast (Hibiscus cannabinus) pulp and nanofiber. BioResources, 4(2), 626–639.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jun, B. M., Hwang, H. S., Heo, J., Han, J., Jang, M., Sohn, J., & Yoon, Y. (2019). Removal of selected endocrine-disrupting compounds using Al-based metal organic framework: Performance and mechanism of competitive adsorption. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 79, 345–352.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kasmuri, N., Lovitt, R. W., & Suja, F. (2019). Removal of synthetic estrogens in attached growth system. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 8(1.2), 96–102.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leal, C. S., Mesquita, D. P., Amaral, A. L., Amaral, A. M., & Ferreira, E. C. (2020). Environmental impact and biological removal processes of pharmaceutically active compounds: The particular case of sulfonamides, anticonvulsants and steroid estrogens. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 50(7), 698–742.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann, J., Kuzyakov, Y., Pan, G., & Ok, Y. S. (2015). Biochars and the plant-soil interface. Plant and Soil, 395, 1–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., Hu, B., Gao, S., Tong, X., Jiang, L., Chen, X., & Zhang, F. (2020). Comparison of 17β-estradiol adsorption on soil organic components and soil remediation agent-biochar. Environmental Pollution, 263, 114572.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, N., Liu, Y., Zeng, G., Gong, J., Tan, X., Liu, S., & Yin, Z. (2020). Adsorption of 17β-estradiol from aqueous solution by raw and direct/pre/post-KOH treated lotus seedpod biochar. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 87, 10–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lokhande, R. S., Singare, P. U., & Pimple, D. S. (2011). Quantification study of toxic heavy metals pollutants in sediment samples collected from Kasardi River flowing along the Taloja industrial area of Mumbai. India, the New York Science Journal, 4(9), 66–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maher, E. K., O’Malley, K. N., Heffron, J., Huo, J., Wang, Y., Mayer, B. K., & McNamara, P. J. (2019). Removal of estrogenic compounds via iron electrocoagulation: Impact of water quality and assessment of removal mechanisms. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 5(5), 956–966.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmoud, D. K., Salleh, M. A. M., Karim, W. A. W. A., Idris, A., & Abidin, Z. Z. (2012). Batch adsorption of basic dye using acid treated kenaf fibre char: Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies. Chemical Engineering Journal, 181, 449–457.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohan, D., Pittman, Jr, C. U., Bricka, M., Smith, F., Yancey, B., Mohammad, J., & Gong, H. (2007). Sorption of arsenic, cadmium, and lead by chars produced from fast pyrolysis of wood and bark during bio-oil production. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 310(1), 57–73.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohanty, A. K., Khan, M. A., & Hinrichsen, G. (2000). Influence of chemical surface modification on the properties of biodegradable jute fabrics-polyester amide composites. Composites Part a: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 31(2), 143–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nasrullah, A., Saad, B., Bhat, A. H., Khan, A. S., Danish, M., Isa, M. H., & Naeem, A. (2019). Mangosteen peel waste as a sustainable precursor for high surface area mesoporous activated carbon: Characterization and application for methylene blue removal. Journal of Cleaner Production, 211, 1190–1200.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park, J. Y., Lee, B. C., Ra, J. S., Lee, J., & Kim, S. D. (2008). Effect of copper complexation on the estrogenic activities of endocrine-disrupting compounds using E-screen bioassay. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry: An International Journal, 27(3), 535–541.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patel, S., Han, J., & Gao, W. (2015). Sorption of 17β-estradiol from aqueous solutions on to bone char derived from waste cattle bones: Kinetics and isotherms. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 3(3), 1562–1569.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prahas, D., Kartika, Y., Indraswati, N., & Ismadji, S. (2008). Activated carbon from jackfruit peel waste by H3PO4 chemical activation: Pore structure and surface chemistry characterization. Chemical Engineering Journal, 140(1–3), 32–42.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajapaksha, A. U., Chen, S. S., Tsang, D. C., Zhang, M., Vithanage, M., Mandal, S., Gao, B., & Ok, Y. S. (2016). Engineered/designer biochar for contaminant removal/immobilization from soil and water: potential and implication of biochar modification. Chemosphere, 148, 276–291.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rawat, A. P., Giri, K., & Rai, J. P. N. (2014). Biosorption kinetics of heavy metals by leaf biomass of Jatropha curcas in single and multi-metal system. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 186(3), 1679–1687.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Razak, M. R., Yusof, N. A., Aris, A. Z., Nasir, H. M., Haron, M. J., Ibrahim, N. A., & Kamaruzaman, S. (2020). Phosphoric acid modified kenaf fiber (K-PA) as green adsorbent for the removal of copper (II) ions towards industrial waste water effluents. Reactive and Functional Polymers, 147, 104466.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saggioro, E. M., Chaves, F. P., Felix, L. C., Gomes, G., & Bila, D. M. (2019). Endocrine disruptor degradation by UV/chlorine and the impact of their removal on estrogenic activity and toxicity. International Journal of Photoenergy, 2019, 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sajab, M. S., Chia, C. H., Zakaria, S., Jani, S. M., Khiew, P. S., & Chiu, W. S. (2010). Removal of copper (II) ions from aqueous solution using alkali-treated kenaf core fibres. Adsorption Science & Technology, 28(4), 377–386.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saucier, C., Adebayo, M. A., Lima, E. C., Cataluna, R., Thue, P. S., Prola, L. D., & Dotto, G. L. (2015). Microwave-assisted activated carbon from cocoa shell as adsorbent for removal of sodium diclofenac and nimesulide from aqueous effluents. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 289, 18–27.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sayğılı, H., & Güzel, F. (2016). High surface area mesoporous activated carbon from tomato processing solid waste by zinc chloride activation: Process optimization, characterization and dyes adsorption. Journal of Cleaner Production, 113, 995–1004.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sgriccia, N., Hawley, M. C., & Misra, M. (2008). Characterization of natural fiber surfaces and natural fiber composites. Composites Part a: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 39(10), 1632–1637.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shamsuddin, M. S., Yusoff, N. R. N., & Sulaiman, M. A. (2016). Synthesis and characterization of activated carbon produced from kenaf core fiber using H3PO4 activation. Procedia Chemistry, 19, 558–565.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shukla, S. K. (2020). Rice husk derived adsorbents for water purification. Green Materials for Wastewater Treatment (pp. 131–148). Cham: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17724-9_6

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Singh, R., Gautam, N., Mishra, A., & Gupta, R. (2011). Heavy metals and living systems: An overview. Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 43(3), 246.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thakur, V., Sharma, E., Guleria, A., Sangar, S., & Singh, K. (2020). Modification and management of lignocellulosic waste as an ecofriendly biochar for the application of heavy metal ions sorption. Materials Today: Proceedings.

  • Thanapal, S. S., Chen, W., Annamalai, K., Carlin, N., Ansley, R. J., & Ranjan, D. (2014). Carbon dioxide torrefaction of woody biomass. Energy & Fuels, 28(2), 1147–1157.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tian, S. R., Liu, Y. G., Liu, S. B., Zeng, G. M., Jiang, L. H., Tan, X. F., & Li, J. (2018). Hydrothermal synthesis of montmorillonite/hydrochar nanocomposites and application for 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethynylestradiol removal. RSC Advances, 8(8), 4273–4283.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tong, X., Jiang, L., Li, Y., Chen, X., Zhao, Y., Hu, B., & Zhang, F. (2020). Function of agricultural waste montmorillonite-biochars for sorptive removal of 17β-estradiol. Bioresource Technology, 296.

  • Tong, Y., Mayer, B. K., & McNamara, P. J. (2019). Adsorption of organic micropollutants to biosolids-derived biochar: estimation of thermodynamic parameters. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 5, 1132–1144.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tserki, V., Zafeiropoulos, N. E., Simon, F., & Panayiotou, C. (2005). A study of the effect of acetylation and propionylation surface treatments on natural fibres. Composites Part a: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 36(8), 1110–1118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Q., Li, Z., Hong, H., Li, R., & Jiang, W. T. (2013). Desorption of ciprofloxacin from clay mineral surfaces. Water Research, 47(1), 259–268.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WWAP (UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme). (2019). The United Nations World Water Development Report 2019: Leaving No One Behind.

  • Yakout, S. M., & El-Deen, G. S. (2016). Characterization of activated carbon prepared by phosphoric acid activation of olive stones. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 9, S1155–S1162.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yin, Z., Liu, Y., Tan, X., Jiang, L., Zeng, G., Liu, S., & Li, M. (2019). Adsorption of 17β-estradiol by a novel attapulgite/biochar nanocomposite: Characteristics and influencing factors. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 121, 155–164.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, T., Guo, F., Yu, Y., Sun, T., Ma, D., Han, J., & Chen, Y. (2017). Fusobacterium nucleatum promotes chemoresistance to colorectal cancer by modulating autophagy. Cell, 170(3), 548–563.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zarghi, M. H., Roudbari, A., Jorfi, S., & Jaafarzadeh, N. (2019). Removal of estrogen hormones (17β-estradiol and estrone) from aqueous solutions using rice husk silica. Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Quarterly, 33(2), 281–293.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Q. L., & Xu, Q. (2015). Liquid organic and inorganic chemical hydrides for high-capacity hydrogen storage. Energy & Environmental Science, 8(2), 478–512.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), project code FRGS/1/2018/STG07/UPM/01/3 and GIST Research Institute (GRI) grant (project code 6380048) funded by the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in 2020. The first author acknowledges, with gratitude, the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for the PhD scholarship through the MyBrain15 programme and Malaysia National Kenaf and Tobacco Board (LKTN) as a material benefactor.

Funding

This work was supported by GIST Research Institute (GRI) grant (project code 6380048) funded by the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in 2020 and the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), project code 5540080.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment, Faculty of Forestry and Environment, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Hanisah Mohmad Nasir & Ahmad Zaharin Aris

  2. International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 71050, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

    Ahmad Zaharin Aris

  3. Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Luqman Chuah Abdullah

  4. Institute of Advanced Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Ismayadi Ismail

Authors
  1. Hanisah Mohmad Nasir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ahmad Zaharin Aris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Luqman Chuah Abdullah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ismayadi Ismail
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All the mentioned authors have contributed significantly to the present work, read the manuscript, attest to the quality and credibility of the knowledge and its analysis, and agree to its submission to the Journal of Environmental Geochemistry and Health.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmad Zaharin Aris.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Ethical approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 37 KB)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nasir, H.M., Aris, A.Z., Abdullah, L.C. et al. Facile fabrication and characterization of kenaf core as natural biochar for the highly efficient removal of selected endocrine-disrupting compounds. Environ Geochem Health 44, 993–1013 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-00999-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-00999-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation