Efficient adsorption removal of carbamazepine from water by dual-activator modified hydrochar

• Published in: Separation and purification technology 2025-01, Vol.353, p.128287, Article 128287
• Main Authors: Zhong, Hua, Zhu, Guangju, Wang, Zhuozhuo, Liu, Xiaochang, Zhang, Hua, Qiu, Yanling, Yin, Daqiang, Zhu, Zhiliang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Carbamazepine; Dual-activator; Hydrochar
• ISSN: 1383-5866
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2024.128287

[Display omitted] •Effective dual-activator modification method for hydrochar was developed.•H3PO4 synergistically promoted K2CO3 activation of hydrochar for high adsorption capacity.•Modified hydrochar has high specific surface area and adsorption efficiency to CBZ.•Prepared hydrochar shows great potential for practical applications in water treatment. The decontamination of trace micropollutants from water environments is a widely concerned issue, and developing green and efficient adsorbent serves as an effective solution. In this study, using dual-activator modification method, an efficient hydrochar adsorbent was prepared through a two-step sequential process combining H3PO4 hydrothermal treatment with K2CO3 pyrolysis activation for carbamazepine (CBZ) adsorption removal. The results indicated that H3PO4 facilitated the K2CO3 activation process. The prepared hydrochar exhibited excellent adsorption properties due to its high specific surface area (1265.08 m2·g−1) and aromatic porous mesh structure, with the maximum and dynamic adsorption capacity for CBZ of 376.11 and 296.98 mg·g−1, respectively. The adsorption mechanism primarily involved pore-filling effects, π-π electron-donor–acceptor (EDA) interactions and hydrophobic interactions. Additionally, the obtained hydrochar material showed high adsorption efficiency for various pollutants and performed well in actual water samples. This study may provide theoretical and technical support for the development and application of high-efficiency hydrochar-based adsorbents.