Catalytic pretreatment of biochar residues derived from lignocellulosic feedstock for equilibrium studies of manganese, Mn(ii) cations from aqueous solution

This research aims to pretreat and activate biochar samples for sorption studies of Mn( ii ) cations from synthetic wastewater. The bio-char was initially synthesized by physical activation of dried Hibiscus canabilis L stems. The synthesized char was pretreated with a strong metal hydroxide catalyst of potassium hydroxide (KOH). The secondary phase of activation was conducted by using carbon dioxide gas. Batch adsorption was conducted to delineate the effect of agitation time, temperature and initial cation concentration in synthetic solution. Adsorption kinetics were studied by analyzing the experimental data using Pseudo First, Pseudo Second, Elovich and Intra Particle Diffusion Models. Mathematical simulation after linearization of the aforementioned kinetic models showed that the adsorption kinetics was mainly governed by Elovich and pseudo second order kinetics. This indicated that Mn( ii ) cations were mainly chemically adsorbed by means of complex formation with the active functional groups present on the surface of the pretreated and activated biochar. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were used at different temperatures to elucidate the sorption performance of the equilibrium system. The Langmuir maximum monolayer adsorption capacity obtained was 31.25 mg g −1 at 30 °C. Thermodynamic parameters were evaluated. Negative values of Gibb's free energy, Δ G ° ensure the feasibility of the equilibrium system. The process was endothermic as the enthalpy change, Δ H ° obtained for the process was positive. In this research, activated biochar has been produced by a base catalytic approach for removal of Mn( ii ) cations from waste water.