Influence of pyrolytic temperature on uranium adsorption capability by biochar derived from macauba coconut residue

Abstract

Biochar (BC) is a carbon-rich product obtained when biomass is thermally decomposed at relatively low temperatures (under 700ºC) and limited supply of oxygen in a process called pyrolysis. The conversion of biomass into BC can not only result in renewable energy source of synthetic gas and bio-oil, but also decrease the content of CO2 in the atmosphere, as well as improving soil fertility. Because of its porous structure, charged surface and surface functional groups, BC exhibits a great potential as an adsorbent. Brazilian agro energy chain involves tons of biomass waste, providing a wide range of biomasses with different chemical and physical properties. BC characteristics strongly depend on the feedstock and the pyrolysis conditions, in which the temperature is the key parameter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adsorption potential for the removal of uranium, U(VI), from aqueous solutions using BC obtained through the pyrolysis of the macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) coconut endocarp as a function of the final pyrolytic temperature. BCs produced at higher temperatures are likely to present lower H/C and O/C ratios, indicating the loss of easily degradable carbon compounds such as volatile matter. In contrast, low-temperature pyrolysis produces not only a higher BC yield, but also richer in surface functional groups which will likely enable interactions with the U(VI) ions. The endocarp was subjected to six different pyrolytic temperatures, ranging from 250 ºC to 750 ºC. The influence of parameters such as pH, sorbent dose and initial concentration on the adsorption of U(VI) was investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity (q) was achieved for the BC obtained at 250°C (BC250), which presented a removal percentage of approx. 86%, demonstrating the potential of the BC from macauba endocarp for treatment of wastewaters. Thus, submitting the endocarp to temperatures higher than 250°C becomes unnecessary, saving time and reducing operating costs.