Xiangying Li, Xiangyu Zhang, Peng Zhang, Xinhua Wang, Hongwen Sun, Yongyue Lu, Le Jiao, Chenglan Liu
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引用次数: 1
Abstract
The extensive use of neonicotinoids on food crops for pest management has resulted in substantial environmental contamination. It is imperative to develop an effective remediation material and technique as well as to determine the evolution pathways of products. Here, novel ball-milled nitrogen-doped biochar (NBC)-modified zero-valent iron (ZVI) composites (named MNBC-ZVI) were fabricated and applied to degrading neonicotinoids. Based on the characterization results, NBC incorporation introduced N-doped sites and new allying heterojunctions and achieved surface charge redistribution, rapid electron transfer, and higher hydrophobicity of ZVI particles. As a result, the interaction between ZVI particles and thiamethoxam (a typical neonicotinoid) was improved, and the adsorption–desorption and reductive degradation of thiamethoxam and ·H generation steps were optimized. MNBC-ZVI could rapidly degrade 100% of 10 mg·L−1 thiamethoxam within 360 min, its reduction rate constant was 12.1-fold greater than that of pristine ZVI, and the electron efficiency increased from 29.7% to 57.8%. This improved reactivity and selectivity resulted from increased electron transfer, enhanced hydrophobicity, and reduced accumulation of iron mud. Moreover, the degradation of neonicotinoids occurred mainly via nitrate reduction and dichlorination, and toxicity tests with degradation intermediates revealed that neonicotinoids undergo rapid detoxification. Remarkably, MNBC-ZVI also presented favorable tolerance to various anions, humic acid, wastewater and contaminated soil, as well as high reusability. This work offers an efficient and economic biochar-ZVI remediation technology for the rapid degradation and detoxification of neonicotinoids, significantly contributes to knowledge on the relevant removal mechanism and further advances the synthesis of highly reactive and environmentally friendly materials.
期刊介绍:
Biochar stands as a distinguished academic journal delving into multidisciplinary subjects such as agronomy, environmental science, and materials science. Its pages showcase innovative articles spanning the preparation and processing of biochar, exploring its diverse applications, including but not limited to bioenergy production, biochar-based materials for environmental use, soil enhancement, climate change mitigation, contaminated-environment remediation, water purification, new analytical techniques, life cycle assessment, and crucially, rural and regional development. Biochar publishes various article types, including reviews, original research, rapid reports, commentaries, and perspectives, with the overarching goal of reporting significant research achievements, critical reviews fostering a deeper mechanistic understanding of the science, and facilitating academic exchange to drive scientific and technological development.