Unique Chemistry and Structure of Pyrolyzed Bovine Bone for Enhanced Aqueous Metals Adsorption

Abstract Bone waste is a problematic slaughterhouse typically disposed of in landfills. The pyrolyzed product this shows strong potential mine and industrial water remediation work needed to identify chemical structural parameters which drive performance. Diffuse Reflectance Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was used probe carbonate (CO 3 2− ), phosphate (PO 4 3− ) hydroxyl (OH − environments mineral phases functional group chemistry carbonaceous phase, revealing potentially synergistic functionality between the two bone char. CO substitutions lattice were found persist after pyrolysis 750 °C, more soluble non-apatite calcium observed using second derivative analysis v PO band. Nitrogen-rich groups phase are associated with complexation aqueous metals, ordered aromatic clusters identified by Raman spectroscopy indicate porous carbon skeletal structure promote metals adsorption complexation. These results point unique features char not easily replicated synthetic carbonated apatite or activated contribute excellent removal power Graphical