We applied biochar, pyrolysis products at different temperatures, to investigate the activation of persulfate in the presence of zero-valent iron [Fe(0)] for phenol degradation. Affecting factors including pH, persulfate concentration, and types of black carbon (biochar, activated carbon, and graphite) were examined. The maximum removal of phenol was obtained at the initial pH of 2 in the Fe(0)-biochar-persulfate systems. At pH 7, 89% of phenol was degraded with 2.60 mM of persulfate, 300 mg of Fe(0), and 100 mg of biochar. Under optimal conditions more than 95% of phenol was degraded after 330 min. Results from electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis showed that sulfate and hydroxyl radicals were involved in the phenol degradation. The graphitic structure arising from sp<sup>2 </sup>covalent carbon network and oxygen-containing functional groups on biochar were responsible for the enhancement of phenol degradation in the Fe(0)-biochar-persulfate systems. Our study suggest that biochar-mediated oxidation by persulfate with Fe(0) may be the novel treatment technology for the removal of phenol in water in natural and engineered systems.

Biochar-mediated oxidation of phenol by persulfate activated with zero-valent iron

2019 Fall National Meeting

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