Spectroscopic investigation of Cr(VI) sorption on nZVI/biochar composites

Nanoscale zero-valent iron/biochar (nZVI/biochar) has been widely utilized in environmental remediation due to its excellent removal efficiency, easy synthesis, low-cost and environmental friendliness. Herein, the removal and interaction mechanism of Cr(VI) removal on nZVI/biochar was investigated by macroscopic and microscopic techniques. Compared to nZVI (25.84 mg/g), the high removal capacity (63.29 mg/g at pH 4.5), excellent reusability and chemical stability of nZVI/biochar were due to various oxygen-bearing functional groups and synergetic interaction. According to analysis of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption near-edge fine (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra, the interaction mechanism of Cr(VI) on nZVI/biochar followed adsorption (complexation, electrostatic interaction), reduction and co-precipitation process with increasing reaction time. These findings are crucial for the application of nZVI/biochar for removal of heavy metals in actual environmental cleanup.