Biochar supported nano core-shell (TiO2/CoFe2O4) for wastewater treatment

Abstract

The porous structure of biochar, its large surface area, and its anti-oxidant properties are extensively used for pollutant removal strategies. The literature to date has reported that the biochar assisted metal-oxide core-shells have a dominating degradation ability under solar irradiation. Therefore, this study is significantly focused on cinnamon biochar as an active anti-oxidant agent incorporated in titania-cobalt ferrite nanocore-shell (Biochar/TiO₂/CoFe₂O₄) structures for the first time in wastewater treatment against chlorophenol pollutants. Pure materials, core-shells, and biochar aided composites were synthesized by chemical methods, and their characteristics were analyzed using various instrumentation techniques. The diffraction outcomes of Biochar/TiO₂/CoFe₂O₄ showed the mixed phases containing biochar, TiO₂, and CoFe₂O₄. The morphological characteristics revealed that the biochar creates porosity and a peripheral layer covering the core-shell. Meanwhile, absorption studies of TiO₂/CoFe₂O₄ core-shell and Biochar/TiO₂/CoFe₂O₄ samples achieved 65% and 92% degradation efficiencies when exposed to visible light against chlorophenol pollutants, respectively. All these results confirm the presence of distinct functional groups as well as the combined synergistic effects that activated the charge separation, resulting in the successful destruction of water pollutants. In addition, the highly efficient Biochar/TiO₂/CoFe₂O₄ sample was recycled, and the efficiency was maintained stable for five repeated degradation processes. Thus, Biochar/TiO₂/CoFe₂O₄ will be utilized to expand the possibilities for biofuel generation and energy storage devices.

Keywords: Chlorophenol; Cinnamon biochar; Core-shells; Synergistic effects; Wastewater treatment.