Biochar-TiO2 magnetic nanocomposites for photocatalytic solar-driven removal of antibiotics from aquaculture effluents

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2021-09, Vol.294, p.112937-112937, Article 112937
• Main Authors: Silva, Carla Patrícia, Pereira, Diogo, Calisto, Vânia, Martins, Manuel A., Otero, Marta, Esteves, Valdemar I., Lima, Diana L.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbonaceous nanocomposites; Photodegradation; Synthetic photocatalysts; Waste valorization; Water treatment
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112937

Contamination of surrounding waters with antibiotics by aquaculture effluents can be problematic due to the possible increase of bacterial resistance, making it crucial the efficient treatment of those effluents before their release into the environment. In this work, the application of waste-based magnetic biochar/titanium dioxide (BC/TiO2) composite materials on the photodegradation of two antibiotics widely used in aquaculture (sulfadiazine (SDZ) and oxolinic acid (OXA)) was assessed. Four materials were synthesized: BCMag (magnetized BC), BCMag_TiO2 (BCMag functionalized with TiO2), BC_TiO2_MagIn and BC_TiO2_MagEx (BC functionalized with TiO2 and afterwards magnetized by in-situ and ex-situ approaches, respectively). SDZ half-life time (t1/2) noticeably decreased 3.9 and 3.4 times in presence of BCMag_TiO2 and BC_TiO2_MagEx, respectively. In the case of OXA, even though differences were not so substantial, the produced photocatalysts also allowed for a decrease in t1/2 (2.6 and 1.7 times, in presence of BCMag_TiO2 and BC_TiO2_MagEx, respectively). Overall, the here synthesized BC/TiO2 magnetic nanocomposites through a circular economy process are promising photocatalysts for a sustainable solar-driven removal of antibiotics from aquaculture effluents. [Display omitted] •Novel waste-based magnetic biochar/titanium dioxide composite materials were produced.•SDZ t1/2 decreased from 11.2 ± 0.5 h (no catalyst) to 2.9 ± 0.1 h (presence of BCMag_TiO2).•OXA t1/2 decreased from 1.21 ± 0.08 h (no catalyst) to 0.46 ± 0.01 (presence of BCMag_TiO2).•A considerable SDZ mineralization was achieved using BCMag_TiO2 (70 ± 2%, after 32 h).•After 32 h and in presence of BCMag_TiO2, OXA mineralization was 65 ± 1%.