Synthesis of magnetic biochar composites for enhanced uranium(VI) adsorption

Abstract Magnetic biochar composites were successfully fabricated by pyrolysis of siderite and rice husk under N2 condition. The results of a variety of characterization implied magnetic biochar displayed porous structures with larger specific surface area. The batch adsorption experiments showed high adsorption properties of magnetic biochar composites toward U(VI) (52.63 mg/g at pH 4.0), whereas U(VI) adsorption was significantly influenced by Na2CO3 and HA. U(VI) adsorbed onto magnetic biochar was reduced to U(IV) by Fe3O4 according to XPS and XANES analyses. In addition, no significant effect of ionic strength of NaCl and EXAFS results, illustrated the inner-sphere surface complexation of U(VI) on magnetic biochar. Owing to the simple synthesis procedure, low cost, high adsorption efficiency, easy separation and environmental friendly, magnetic biochar can be considered as a potential adsorbent for the purification of U(VI)-bearing wastewater in environmental remediation.