Performance and mechanism of benzene adsorption on ZnCl2 one-step modified corn cob biochar.

Utilizing cost-effective corn cob, zinc chloride-modified biochar was synthesized through one-step method for benzene adsorption from air. Study on impregnation ratio impact showed optimal benzene adsorption at ZnCl2:CC ratio of 1.5:1, with capacity reaching 170.53 mg g-1. Characterization using BET, SEM, FTIR, and XPS was conducted. BET results indicated specific surface area of Zn1.5BC at 1260.63 m2 g-1 and maximum pore volume of 0.546 m3 g-1. SEM analysis revealed microporous-mesoporous structure in Zn1.5BC, marking significant improvement over original biomass. DFT pore size distribution and FTIR analysis suggested post-modification dehydration and elimination reactions, leading to volatile compound release, functional group reduction, and pore widening. XPS analysis showed decrease in O = C-OH content with increased impregnation ratio, enhancing biochar's π-π electron diffusion for benzene. Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models effectively described experimental data, indicating multilayer benzene adsorption on biochar controlled by complex physicochemical adsorption and pore diffusion. Adsorption condition assessment, including adsorption temperature (20-120 ℃) and benzene concentration in inlet phase (159.73-383.36 mg L-1), was performed. Yoon-Nelson model fitting indicated adsorption site loss at higher temperatures and reduced capture ability due to increased adsorbate molecule kinetic energy. Higher adsorbate concentrations aided adsorption molecule diffusion to biochar surface and internal pores, increasing adsorption rate and shortening equilibrium time. Overall, zinc chloride-modified biochar facilitates benzene adsorption through pore filling and π-π interactions, with pore filling as primary mechanism. Produced biochar shows excellent regeneration properties and reusability.