Efficiency of iron modified Pyrus pyrifolia peels biochar as a novel adsorbent for methylene blue dye abatement from aqueous phase: equilibrium and kinetic studies

Abstract

Herein, a magnetic biochar adsorbent based on Pyrus pyrifolia discarded peels impregnated with precursor FeCl_3·6H₂O was fabricated and probed as a low-cost adsorbent for toxic cationic dye methylene blue (MB). The textural characterization of Pyrus pyrifolia magnetic biochar (PMBC) obtained from BET analysis exhibited its mesoporous nature with S_BET of 133.960 m²/g. The physicochemical characteristics of PMBC were elucidated using XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDX and TEM techniques. The impregnation of FeCl₃ has a significant impact on the microstructure of Pyrus pyrifolia based biochar which resulted in enhancement in adsorption efficiency of PMBC. The sorption parameters adsorbent dosage, time, initial MB concentration, and pH were thoroughly elucidated using a batch methodology which were found to be 0.8 g/L, 40 min, 90 mg/L and 6, respectively. Temkin and pseudo-second-order rate equation respectively appropriated the equilibrium data than the rest of the models. The maximum adsorption capacity determined by the Langmuir model was found to be 967.80 mg/g. The adsorbent exhibited better regeneration up to 3 cycles validating its practical usage. The facile synthesis, economic, and environmentally benign characteristic of Pyrus pyrifolia magnetic biochar corroborated it as a highly efficient adsorbent to sequester MB from an aqueous phase.

Novelty statement

Pyrus pyrifolia discarded peels impregnated with FeCl₃·6H₂O were exploited as a novel magnetic biosorbent for the abatement of cationic dye from wastewater. The impact of operative variables was analyzed using batch methodology. Isotherm and kinetic modeling on equilibrium data was executed via non-linear approach which is very reliable in comparison to linear way.

Keywords:

• Pyrus pyrifolia magnetic biochar
• Methylene blue
• Mesoporous
• Isotherm
• Kinetics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

N.F: Conceptualization, Experiments, analysis, and writing. S.A.K: Data analysis, software, and editing. T.A.K: Editing, Resources and Supervision. W.A.Q: Conceptualization, editing, and Supervision.

Data availability statement

Data will be shared on reasonable request.