Li F, Zimmerman AR, Hu X, Yu Z, Huang J, Gao B. One-pot synthesis and characterization of engineered hydrochar by hydrothermal carbonization of biomass with ZnCl
2.
Chemosphere 2020;
254:126866. [PMID:
32348923 DOI:
10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126866]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Hydrochar, the product of hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, is a sustainable alternative to other carbonaceous environmental sorbents. However, its use has been limited due to its low surface area. A one-pot biomass/metal salt co-hydrothermal synthesis method might improve its sorptive properties while retaining its efficient production characteristic. Thus, bamboo sawdust and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) were combined in a hydrothermal reactor (200 °C, 7 h) for preparing modified hydrochar. Compared to the non-modified hydrochar, the hydrochar produced with the addition of ZnCl2 during hydrothermal treatment was more fully carbonized (C content increased from 54% to 64%), of higher surface area after acid washing (30 versus 1.7 m2 g-1), and enriched in O-containing functional groups and of greater aromaticity (according to FTIR and XRD analysis). Because of these improved properties, Methylene blue adsorption capacity of the modified hydrochar increased by nearly 90% and by 257% after it was rinsed with acid. This study highlights the potential of this one-pot co-hydrothermal treatment of biomass in presence of metal salt to provide a simple and effective hydrochar with properties suitable for environmental remediation and water treatment.
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