Adsorption mechanism of lead ions on porous ceramsite prepared by co-combustion ash of sewage sludge and biomass

[Display omitted] •Porous ceramsite produced from multiple solid wastes.•Ceramsite with excellent adsorption performance for Pb2+.•Microcosmic adsorption mechanism of the porous ceramsite. This study attempted to synthesize a novel ceramsite with excellent adsorption property compositing through the co-combustion of biomass and sewage sludge ash (CBSA), gasification of coal fly ash (GCFA) and sewage sludge (SS) to dispose wastewater contaminated by Pb (II). The optimum preparation conditions included a CBSA/SS/GCFA ratio of 70:18:12, preheating at 480 °C, and sintering at 1060 °C for 15 min. The basic and environmental characteristics of the novel ceramsite meet specific standards requirements. The removal rate could reach 99.9% under optimum conditions in a high-concentration solution, and the novel ceramsite could be reused 6 times and maintain in high remove rate. The adsorption mechanism was determined to be as follows: (1) Ceramsite features a mesoporous structure with an abundance of pores on which cationic exchange could occur. (2) Pb (II) enters the pores of the adsorbent and are attracted by anionic groups to deposit on the surface of ceramsite. (3) A large amount of Pb (II) bonds with SiO or AlOSiO to embed in the matrix frame of the adsorbent; the rest of the metal forms precipitates on the frame layer or [PO4].