Iron and nitrogen co-doped modified biochar (K2FeO4@NSBC) was prepared by a one-step pyrolysis method using loofah sponge as the carbon source, sodium bicarbonate as the activator, potassium ferrate and urea as the iron and nitrogen sources, respectively. The adsorption performances and mechanisms of K2FeO4@NSBC for bisphenol A (BPA) from water were studied. Under the conditions of a K2FeO4∶NaHCO3∶CH4N2O∶loofah sponge (mass ratio) of 0.1∶0.5∶0.5∶1 and pyrolysis temperature of 800℃, the prepared K2FeO4@NSBC exhibited a large specific surface area (864.83 m2/g) and pore volume (0.54 cm3/g). The adsorption equilibrium capacity (312.58 mg/g) of K2FeO4@NSBC for BPA at 298 K was much higher than that of the original biochar (7.00 mg/g). The influence of solution pH and exogenous organic matter (humic acid) on BPA removal was found to be minimal, indicating that K2FeO4@NSBC can effectively adsorb BPA across a range of environmental conditions. However, the presence of exogenous CO_3^(2-) ions in the solution significantly inhibited BPA removal. The adsorption of BPA by K2FeO4@NSBC followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the Sips model described the adsorption equilibrium well, suggesting that the adsorption process was governed not only by surface adsorption but also by a heterogeneous distribution of adsorption sites. Additionally, the adsorption process was spontaneous, endothermic, and disorder-enhancing. K2FeO4@NSBC exhibited excellent regeneration and reuse performance, maintaining high BPA removal efficiency after multiple cycles. The main mechanisms for BPA removal by K2FeO4@NSBC were pore filling, hydrophobic interactions, and π-π interactions, with the incorporation of Fe and N playing important roles in the adsorption process. The Fe component could contribute to the formation of active sites, while the N doping could increase the surface charge and improve the interaction between the biochar and BPA molecules. This research provides an environmentally friendly and economically feasible solution for the removal of BPA from water using biochar. The excellent adsorption capacity, stability, and reusability of K2FeO4@NSBC make it a promising candidate for practical applications in water treatment.
QIN Zi-Chen
,
QIN Yuan
,
SHI Yuan-Ding
,
ZHANG Hao
,
LI Yan
,
ZHU Yun-Tao
,
DING Lei
. Preparation of iron and nitrogen co-doped biochar activated by sodium bicarbonate and its efficient adsorption for bisphenol A from water[J]. The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering, 2025
, 25(10)
: 1096
-1112
.
DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225059