Cu(II) adsorption on 2-thiouracil-modified Luffa cylindrica biochar fibres from artificial and real samples, and competition reactions with U(VI)

The adsorption of Cu(II) ions by biochar fibres prior and after modification with 2-thiouracil on real and artificial samples has been studied by batch-type adsorption experiments, FTIR and XPS spectroscopy and competition reactions using U(VI) ions as competitor cations. The experimental data of the artificial samples clearly show that the modified material presents extraordinary higher affinity for Cu(II) ions even in the acidic pH range, the spectroscopic data indicate the formation of inner-sphere complexes and the competition reactions significantly higher selectivity of the 2-thiouracil modified biochar fibres for Cu(II). The 2-thiouracil-modified biochar fibres have been successfully applied to acid mine drainage (AMD) samples regarding the selective separation of Cu(II) ions from “real” samples. Regarding the desorption of copper from the biochar surface, although 100% copper recovery was achieved by eluting the metal ion using 1 M HNO3, the deterioration of the modified biochar fibers due to extensive 2-thiouracil release from the biochar surface limits the applicability of the present adsorbent in routine and large-scale applications.