Industrialization has resulted in the discharge of a certain amount of lead (Pb) from industrial sources causing damage risk to water quality and human health. Adsorption is an effective technique to remove Pb, and biochar has been widely studied owing to its advantages of low cost and high adsorption capacity. This review summarizes the influence of raw materials and modification methods on the adsorption capability of biochar. The adsorption isotherms and kinetics of biochar were summarized, and the main Pb removal mechanisms were studied systematically. In addition, the challenges and future perspectives were discussed comprehensively. It is expected that the review could provide insightful fundamentals for the experimental research and practical applications of biochar.

Large amounts of sewage sludge (SS) and wetland plant wastes are generated in the wastewater treatment system worldwide. The conversion of these solid wastes into biochar through co-pyrolysis could be a promising resource utilization scheme. In this study, biochar was prepared by co-pyrolysis of SS and reed (Phragmites australis, RD) using a modified muffle furnace device under different temperatures (300, 500, and 700 °C) and with different mixing ratios (25, 50, and 75 wt.% RD). The physicochemical properties of biochar and the transformation behaviors of phosphorus (P) and heavy metals during the co-pyrolysis process were studied. Compared with single SS pyrolysis, the biochar derived from SS-RD co-pyrolysis had lower yield and ash content, higher pH, C content, and aromatic structure. The addition of RD could reduce the total P content of biochar and promote the transformation from non-apatite inorganic phosphorus (NAIP) to apatite phosphorus (AP). In addition, co-pyrolysis also reduced the content and toxicity of heavy metals in biochar. Therefore, co-pyrolysis could be a promising strategy to achieve the simultaneous treatment of SS and RD, as well as the production of value-added biochar.