New perception of Zn(II) and Mn(II) removal mechanism on sustainable sunflower biochar from alkaline batteries contaminated water.

The combination of several methods (X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, infrared spectroscopy) was applied to study the changes that have occurred during the adsorption of Zn(II) and Mn(II) ions on a carbonized sunflower sample for understanding a mechanism of heavy metals adsorption. Sunflower biochar was obtained from the stem and inflorescences sunflower wastes through pyrolysis at 600 °C for 30 min. According to the infrared spectroscopy and Boehm titration data, this carbonized material has acidic and basic functional groups on its surface, but they do not participate in the metal ions adsorption. However, the synthesized carbon proved to be a sustainable high-effective adsorbent for zinc(II) and manganese(II) ions removal with adsorption capacity 138.3 mg g-1 of Zn2+ and 45.4 mg g-1 for Mn2+. Surface analysis of the carbonized material by energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated the presence of soluble and insoluble inorganic salts, such as KCl, NaCl, NaHCO3, KHCO3, CaCO3, MgCO3. It was established, that during the adsorption process, soluble salts are washed away, and new insoluble ones are formed assisting by Zn(II) and Mn(II) ions. It has been revealed that the adsorptive removal of Zn2+ and Mn2+ is caused by the precipitation mechanism. The efficiency of removing Zn(II) and Mn(II) ions from water contaminated with battery waste by the same mechanism is shown.