Fabrication and evaluation of silica embedded and zerovalent iron composited biochars for arsenate removal from water
Waste date palm-derived biochar (DPBC) was modified with nano-zerovalent iron (BC-ZVI) and silica (BC-SiO2) through mechanochemical treatments and evaluated for arsenate (As(V)) removal from water. The feedstock and synthesized adsorbents were characterized through proximate, ultimate, and chemical analyses for structural, surface, and mineralogical compositions. BC-ZVI demonstrated the highest surface area and contents of C, N, and H. A pH range of 2–6 was optimum for BC-ZVI (100% removal), 3–6 for DPBC (89% removal), and 4–6 for BC-SiO2 (18% removal).