Production of Biochar from Coconut Husks for Adsorption of Heavy Metals in Water

Abstract

This study focused on the production, characterization, and application of biochar from coconuthusks as an effective and cheap adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals (i.e. Pb, Fe, Mn,and Cr) in water. The biochar was produced by pyrolysis of coconut husk at 600 °C in oxygen-free conditions and then characterized by various surface analysis technologies to explore itsphysical and chemical properties. In the metal adsorption test, the produced biochar gave highmetal removal performance with maximum adsorption capacities of 95.24 mgPb2+/g, 40.16mgFe2+/g, 35.46 mgCr6+/g, and 23.09 mgMn2+/g under pH 5, 4.5, 2, and 5.5, respectively. Studiesin kinetics, isotherms, thermodynamics, and mechanism were then conducted to understandthe adsorption process of metal ions in water using coconut husk biochar.