Low cost and easy rice husk modifcation to efciently enhance ammonium and nitrate adsorption

Purpose This research aimed to study the adsorption of ammonium and nitrate by simply modifying the surface of the rice husk using slow pyrolysis and surfactants modifcation. Methods Rice husk biochar was prepared by slowly pyrolyzing at ۵۰۰ °C, ۲ h. The rice husk and its biochar were modifed by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide or sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate. FTIR, BET and zeta potential measurements were used to characterize the obtained adsorbents. Results Slow pyrolysis increased the specifc surface area and decreased the surface charge of rice husk while surfactant clogged the pore but could change the charge of a surface. Adsorption of both ammonium and nitrate on rice husk, its biochar, and their modifcation with surfactants ftted Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, indicating heterogeneity in adsorption. Slow pyrolysis gave the highest ammonium removal with maximum adsorption capacity of ۴۴ mgN/g and it was a physical process. The cetyltrimethylammonium bromide modifcation gave a signifcant nitrate removal on both rice husk and its biochar with maximum adsorption of ۲۷۸ and ۲۱۳ mgN/g, respectively, which is higher than a commercial adsorbent. Conclusions These two modifcation techniques gave great adsorption enhancement with cost-efectiveness as compared to other reviewed methods which could use as a nitrogen-rich fertilizer and fertilizer retainment in crop production.

Keywords:

Ammonium  , Nitrate  , Rice husk  , Pyrolysis  , surfactant