975329 - A Single-Process Synthesis of Sulfurized Magnetic Biochar Derived from Makino Bamboo for Aqueous Mercury Adsorption (Student Poster 8)

Due to public health threats resulting from mercury (Hg) and its distribution in the food chain/net, stringent global restrictions have been placed on Hg use, emissions, and discharges. Biochar is a porous, carbonaceous adsorbent typically derived from waste biomass or organic matter, making it an eco-friendly material for aqueous mercury (Hg(II)) pollution control. Functionalization of biochar can improve performance in pollution control applications. In this work, carbonization, activation, magnetization, and sulfurization of biochar were combined into a single-process to prepare sulfurized magnetic biochar (SMBC) for Hg(II) removal from water. Results indicate that Hg(II) adsorption onto SMBC was 53% and 12% greater than onto magnetic biochar (MBC) and biochar (BC), respectively. Additionally, it was shown that the SMBC pyrolyzed at 600 °C adsorbed 8.86 mg/g Hg(II), more than materials prepared via pyrolysis at 400, 500, 700, 800, and 900 °C. Furthermore, Hg(II) adsorption onto SMBC was favorable in acidic conditions, thermodynamically spontaneous, and endothermic. Hg(II) adsorption onto SMBC fit the Freundlich isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. In summary, SMBC is a robust adsorbent for Hg(II) control, and it can potentially be applied to remediate contaminated water/sediment/soil in the future.