Effectiveness of Biochar from Hydrothermal Carbonization of Wetland Biomass for Sorption of Ammonia

The aim of this study is twofold: firstly, to characterize the biochars resulting from the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of different types of wetland biomass and, secondly, to assess their potential for ammonia removal in aqueous solutions. The chars produced were carbon rich. The adsorption experiments indicated that hydrothermal treatment improved the ammonia removal efficiency rate, and loaded adsorbents were regenerable. Using an HTC char of reed as adsorbent has several advantages: it has the highest adsorption performance, the highest char yield, and the greatest affinity for regeneration. Wetland biomasses are interesting and apposite materials for the production of biochar, which possess a sufficiently high efficiency for ammonia removal in aqueous solution. This adds significant value to such products and proves that such alternative adsorbents, synthesized from raw agricultural materials, can offer an efficient and cost‐effective solution for sorption of ammonia.