Issue 5, 2019

Adsorption of organic micropollutants onto biochar: a review of relevant kinetics, mechanisms and equilibrium

Abstract

As an alternative to activated carbon, biochar has been considered for removal of organic micropollutants from water and wastewater via adsorption. This review elaborates on the fundamental basis of adsorption kinetics, mechanisms, and equilibrium with respect to biochar-based adsorption of micropollutants. The objectives include: 1) linking biochar surface properties with adsorption abilities, 2) categorizing the kinetics of adsorption of aqueous-phase organic compounds onto biochar, 3) categorizing the molecular-scale interactions between organic micropollutants and biochar, and 4) reviewing existing quantitative methods for characterizing adsorption equilibrium of organic micropollutants from water onto an adsorbent surface. To fulfill these goals, the relationships among biochar surface properties, adsorption kinetics, mechanisms, and equilibrium were clarified as current literature often lacks such discussion or may include conflicting descriptions. Due to its heterogeneous nature, research on biochar's adsorption potential for micropollutants is ambiguous. By adapting adsorption theories to biochar application specifically, this review helps to inform future research in terms of addressing knowledge gaps in characterizing and improving biochar adsorption.

Graphical abstract: Adsorption of organic micropollutants onto biochar: a review of relevant kinetics, mechanisms and equilibrium

Article information

Article type
Tutorial Review
Submitted
18 dec 2018
Accepted
11 mar 2019
First published
12 mar 2019

Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019,5, 821-838

Adsorption of organic micropollutants onto biochar: a review of relevant kinetics, mechanisms and equilibrium

Y. Tong, P. J. McNamara and B. K. Mayer, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2019, 5, 821 DOI: 10.1039/C8EW00938D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements