Rapid removal of triazine pesticides by P doped biochar and the adsorption mechanism

Biochar is an adsorbent widely used to remove contaminants from polluted water. A series of biochar from corn straw, corncob and corn starch was prepared through one-step pyrolysis. The biochar was characterized, and the capacity for triazine pesticide (TRZ) removal from water was compared. P doped biochar from corn straw (CSWP) was able to remove six TRZs (>96%) from water after shaking five times. The removal was more rapid than that by four other commonly used adsorbents. The physicochemical properties of CSWP were characterized systematically, and carboxyl and metaphosphates on CSWP were found to provide adsorption sites. The experimental data were best fitted by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich model. Adsorption equilibrium of atrazine on CSWP occurred within 20 min, and the maximum adsorption capacity reached up to 79.6 mg g−1 at 25 °C. The adsorption mechanism of CSWP for atrazine includes Van der Waals' forces, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions and pore filling. CSWP can be reused at least five times and shows strong potential as a candidate for the rapid and efficient removal of TRZs.