Simultaneous removal of Sb(iii) and Cd(ii) in water by adsorption onto a MnFe2O4–biochar nanocomposite

Abstract

In this study, a jacobsite–biochar nanocomposite (MnFe₂O₄–BC) was fabricated and used to simultaneously remove Sb(III) and Cd(II) from water via adsorption. The MnFe₂O₄–BC nanocomposite was prepared via a co-precipitation method and analyzed using various techniques. The results confirm the successful decoration of the biochar surface with MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. The maximum Sb(III) removal efficiency was found to be higher from bi-solute solutions containing Cd(II) than from single-solute systems, suggesting that the presence of Cd(II) enhances the removal of Sb(III). The Langmuir isotherm model describes well Sb(III) and Cd(II) removal via adsorption onto the MnFe₂O₄–BC nanocomposite. The maximum adsorption capacities are 237.53 and 181.49 mg g⁻¹ for Sb(III) and Cd(II), respectively, in a bi-solute system. Thus, the prepared MnFe₂O₄–BC nanocomposite is demonstrated to be a potential adsorbent for simultaneously removing Sb(III) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions.