Adsorption of heavy metals by <i>Lycium barbarum</i> branch-based adsorbents: raw, fungal modification, and biochar

Abstract The present study reports on the adsorptive removal of heavy metals (Cr3+, Cd2+, and Cu2+) from water by a series Lycium barbarum branch-based adsorbents: branch (denoted as LB), fungal fermented LB (FLB), biochar (LBB), FLB (FLBB), alkaline modified LBB (ALBB), FLBB (AFLBB). six adsorbents were characterized in terms FTIR, SEM, surface area pore size well zeta potential. potential these was tested under varying conditions – pH, contact time, initial concentration, temperature. Adsorption results fitted with Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin models. maximum adsorption capacity (qm) calculated to be 6.29 mg/g for Cr3+ FLB, 11.53 Cd2+ LB, 7.27 Cu2+ LB. pseudo-second-order kinetic equation better described process. Based thermodynamics parameters, endothermic but not spontaneous biochars. experimental offer new way recycling reutilizing wastewater treatment.