Chlorella vulgaris-Derived Biochars for Metribuzin Removal: Influence of Thermal Processing Pathways on Sorption Properties

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216305%3A26310%2F26%3A0199596" target="_blank" >RIV/00216305:26310/26:0199596 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/18/14/3374" target="_blank" >https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/18/14/3374</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma18143374" target="_blank" >10.3390/ma18143374</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Chlorella vulgaris-Derived Biochars for Metribuzin Removal: Influence of Thermal Processing Pathways on Sorption Properties

Original language description

Carbonaceous sorbents were prepared from Chlorella vulgaris via hydrothermal carbonization (200 degrees C and 250 degrees C) and slow pyrolysis (300-500 degrees C) to assess their effectiveness in removing the herbicide metribuzin from water. The biomass was cultivated under controlled laboratory conditions, allowing for consistent feedstock quality and traceability throughout processing. Using a single microalgal feedstock for both thermal methods enabled a direct comparison of hydrochar and pyrochar properties and performance, eliminating variability associated with different feedstocks and allowing for a clearer assessment of the influence of thermal conversion pathways. While previous studies have examined algae-derived biochars for heavy metal adsorption, comprehensive comparisons targeting organic micropollutants, such as metribuzin, remain scarce. Moreover, few works have combined kinetic and isotherm modeling to evaluate the underlying adsorption mechanisms of both hydrochars and pyrochars produced from the same algal biomass. Therefore, the materials investigated in the present work were characterized using a combination of standard physicochemical and structural techniques (FTIR, SEM, BET, pH, ash content, and TOC). The kinetics of sorption were also studied. The results show better agreement with the pseudo-second-order model, consistent with chemisorption, except for the hydrochar produced at 250 degrees C, where physisorption provided a more accurate fit. Freundlich isotherms better described the equilibrium data, indicating heterogeneous adsorption. The hydrochar obtained at 200 degrees C reached the highest adsorption capacity, attributed to its intact cell structure and abundance of surface functional groups. The pyrochar produced at 500 degrees C exhibited the highest surface area (44.3 m2/g) but a lower affinity for metribuzin due to the loss of polar functionalities during pyrolysis. This study presents a novel use of Chlorella vulgaris-derived carbon materials for metribuzin removal without chemical activation, which offers practical benefits, including simplified production, lower costs, and reduced chemical waste. The findings contribute to expanding the applicability of algae-based sorbents in water treatments, particularly where low-cost, energy-efficient materials are needed. This approach also supports the integration of carbon sequestration and wastewater remediation within a circular resource framework.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10302 - Condensed matter physics (including formerly solid state physics, supercond.)

Project

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Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Materials

ISSN

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e-ISSN

1996-1944

Volume of the periodical

18

Issue of the periodical within the volume

14

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

28

Pages from-to

1-28

UT code for WoS article

001553414000001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

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