Preparation of wavy three-dimensional graphene-like biochar and its adsorption mechanism of embedded separation for dimethoate

In this study, graphene-like biochar (IZBC) was prepared by pyrolysis of wheat straw in the presence of catalyst and activator. The formation of graphene in IZBC could be divided into three stages: shell core generation, carburization, and carbon precipitation. When the pyrolysis temperatures were in the ranges of 500–600 ℃, 600–700 ℃, 700–800 ℃ and 800–900 ℃, 17%, 32%, 13% and 38% of graphene were produced, respectively. The contribution ratios of graphene by FeCl3, ZnCl2 and HCl were 64%, 23% and 13%, respectively. Moreover, IZBC was filled with porous wavy three-dimensional graphene nanosheets that enabled self-aggregation to be effectively prevented, which was superior to the striped two-dimensional structure. The adsorption of IZBC for dimethoate was a spontaneous exothermic reaction with the adsorption capacity of 980 μmol/g, which was consistent with the pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models. The adsorption was inhibited by coexisting cations, anions, and humic acid in water. Dimethoate was adsorbed on graphene through embedded separation, with pore filling, cation-π and electrostatic attraction as the key driving forces. In addition, the adsorbed saturated IZBC could be effectively regenerated for many times by 2 mol/L HCl solution. [Display omitted] •The graphene formation was α-Fe generation, carburization and carbon precipitation.•IZBC was filled with wavy three-dimensional graphene nanosheets.•Dimethoate was adsorbed on graphene through embedded separation.•Adsorption driving forces: pore filling, cation-π and electrostatic attraction.