Combining impregnation and co-pyrolysis to reduce the environmental risk of biochar derived from sewage sludge

Sewage sludge derived biochar has great potential for agricultural application, whereas the risk of heavy metals in sewage sludge is a key challenge for utilization. This study investigated the synergetic effect of co-pyrolysis and ZnCl₂ impregnation treatment on the surface characteristics and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in sewage sludge derived biochar. It was concluded that ZnCl₂ impregnation led to an increase in biochar yield, O and S content, but decrease the ash content and pH. Additionally, the thermal stability of ZnCl₂-added biochar was decreased. Semi-quantitive specific functional groups analysis suggested that ZnCl₂ impregnation had a negative effect on the content of C[dbnd]O and C-O, while promoted the formation of aromatic C[dbnd]C. And the functional group of C[dbnd]O was retained in biochar by co-pyrolysis with Camellia oleifera shell due to its high content of potassium. For heavy metal passivation, ZnCl₂ impregnation decreased total content of heavy metals by chlorination, while the oxidizable fraction (F3) of heavy metals showed an increasing tendency. Results of potential ecological risk assessment indicated that combining ZnCl₂ impregnation and co-pyrolysis had great potential to reduce the ecological risk of heavy metals in sewage sludge derived biochar.