Adsorption behavior of tetracycline onto Spirulina sp. (microalgae)-derived biochars produced at different temperatures

We evaluated the production of Spirulina sp. (microalgae)-derived biochars (SPAL-BCs) at different pyrolysis temperatures for the removal of an emerging water contaminant, tetracycline (TC). Physicochemical properties of SPAL-BCs were characterized and related with their capacity to adsorb TC. Incre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2020-03, Vol.710, p.136282-136282, Article 136282
Main Authors: Choi, Yong-Keun, Choi, Tae-Rim, Gurav, Ranjit, Bhatia, Shashi Kant, Park, Ye-Lim, Kim, Hyung Joo, Kan, Eunsung, Yang, Yung-Hun
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adsorption
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Biochar
Charcoal
Hydrophobic interaction
Microalgae
Pyrolysis
Spirulina
Spirulina sp
Temperature
Tetracycline
Water Pollutants, Chemical
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Summary:We evaluated the production of Spirulina sp. (microalgae)-derived biochars (SPAL-BCs) at different pyrolysis temperatures for the removal of an emerging water contaminant, tetracycline (TC). Physicochemical properties of SPAL-BCs were characterized and related with their capacity to adsorb TC. Increasing pyrolysis temperatures led to higher aromaticity, higher hydrophobicity, and higher specific surface area. In particular, SPAL-BC750 possessed the highest hydrophobicity, various strong crystallizations (i.e., calcite, hydroxyapatite, and rhenanite) and functional groups (i.e., CH2, CN, CO, and CO32−), which may be associated with high TC adsorption. SPAL-BC750 also presented the highest TC adsorption capacity (132.8 mg TC/g biochar) via batch experimentation because of hydrophobic, π-π interactions, functional groups, and metal complexation. The best fitting isotherm and kinetic models of TC adsorption by SPAL-BC750 were the Langmuir and pseudo-first order models, respectively. SPAL-BCs obtained as a by-product of pyrolysis may be an economical and potentially valuable adsorbent for aqueous antibiotic removal. [Display omitted] •Microalgae (Spirulina sp.) were successfully applied for biochar production.•High pyrolysis temperatures led to low O/C and H/C and high SSA and pHpzc values.•SPAL-BC750 had the highest hydrophobicity, crystallizations, and functional groups.•SPAL-BC750 had the highest TC adsorption capacity (132.8 mg TC/g biochar).•SPAL-BCs are economical and potentially valuable adsorbents.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136282