New insights into contrasting mechanisms for PAE adsorption on millimeter, micron- and nano-scale biochar

Biochar is being examined as a potential sorbent for organic pollutants in the environment including phthalate esters (PAEs). It has been noted that nano-scale biochar particles displayed stronger migration potential than other particles, which poses the potential risk of pollutant transfer through the environment. In this present study, we examined the influence of sub-millimeter (200–600 μm), micron-scale (10–60 μm), and nano-scale (0.1–0.6 μm) biochar on diethyl phthalate (DEP, as a model) adsorption using particles derived from corn straw and rice husk biochar. Meanwhile, the interaction between adsorption capacity and initial pH was also considered. Our results showed that the adsorption capacity of biochar for DEP increased with decreasing particle size, and was considerably higher for nano-scale biochar than for other particles. This was attributable to its developed pore structure and higher specific surface area (SSA), especially the dominant micropore (292.73 m2/g), suggesting that the adsorption of DEP to nano-scale biochar was dominated by pore-filling rather than π-π EDA and H bonding that was applied to biochar of larger, more typical dimensions. The adsorption capacity of nano-scale biochar for DEP was markedly decreased when initial pH was decreased from 9.0 to 3.0. Because an acid environment could reduce the absolute surface charge on nano-scale biochar, it was easier for the particles to agglomerate. Nano-scale biochar therefore have higher activity in alkaline conditions, which could pose certain risks through their application into the environment.