SYNTHESIS OF LANTHANUM – MODIFIED BIOCHAR FOR REMOVAL OF PHOSPHATE FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Abstract

In this study, banana stem biochar was modified using lanthanum chloride to improve the removal of
phosphate from aqueous solutions. The obtained biochars were characterized by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), specific surface area (BET) and
energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the modification process
successfully introduced lanthanum-containing functional groups into biochar and significantly
improved the phosphate adsorption performance of the material. The optimum condition was found at
pH = 4÷5 and at an adsorption time of 45 min. The adsorption was fitted well with the Langmuir
isotherm and the maximum adsorption capacity wac calculated to be 100 mg/g.