Wastewater

Adsorption

Engineering

Sewage treatment

Pyrolysis

Materials science

Pollutant

Human decontamination

Waste management

Biochar

Environmental engineering

Organic chemistry

Environmental science

Chemistry

Pulp and paper industry

The Science of The Total Environment

Biochar is a carbon-rich material that can be obtained from pyrolysis of solid waste (e.g., agricultural solid waste and sludge from wastewater treatment plants). Biochar features low cost, large specific surface area, and strong adsorption capacity. New biochar composites can be produced via modification and loading of nano particles onto biochar. Biochar can contribute to the dispersion and stabilization of nano particles. In addition, nano particles can increase the number of surface-active sites, which improves the physicochemical properties of the material. Biochar and biochar composites have been applied widely in wastewater treatment, and have significantly enhanced the treatment performance of Fenton-like processes (activation of hydrogen peroxide and persulfate) as an advanced oxidation process for organics removal and wastewater decontamination. This paper reviews the preparation methods for biochar and biochar composites to systematically analyze the influential factors on the preparation process. The paper also comprehensively reviews the mechanisms by which biochar removes different organic pollutants. However, due to the vast number of different biochar feedstocks and their preparation methods, it is difficult to compare the properties of one biochar to another. Guidance if provided for the application of biochar and biochar composites for wastewater decontamination. • Performance of biochar is determined by preparation factors and loading processes. • The mechanism by which biochar adsorbs pollutants in water was analyzed. • Activation mechanisms for H 2 O 2 , PS, and PMS by biochar were determined. • Biochar shows great promise for the removal of pollutants from water.

Preparation of biochar and biochar composites and their application in a Fenton-like process for wastewater decontamination: A review