Formaldehyde removal via peroxymonosulfate activated by transition metal-doped bagasse biochar

Abstract

This study introduces a process for formaldehyde (HCHO) treatment using peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activated by copper and cobalt metal-impregnated biochar derived from sugarcane bagasse. The bagasse was subjected to alkali pre-treatment before metal impregnation and subsequent pyrolysis at 700 °C to produce the Co-Cu/Biochar material. Modern analytical methods, including SEM, EDS, XRD, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, were employed for structural characterization. The results showed that the Co-Cu/Biochar possesses a high specific surface area (SSA=419 m²/g), making it suitable for PMS activation to eliminate HCHO. The influence of material dosage, PMS concentration, and solution pH was investigated. The findings demonstrated that HCHO was completely removed after 5 minutes of reaction at an initial concentration of 20 mg/L.