Performance and mechanism of Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ ions' adsorption via modified antibiotic residue-based hydrochar

• Published in: Heliyon 2023-04, Vol.9 (4), p.e14930
• Main Authors: Chen, Bingtong, Guan, Haibin, Zhang, Yue, Liu, Suxiang, Zhao, Baofeng, Zhong, Cunqing, Zhang, Heming, Ding, Wenran, Song, Angang, Zhu, Di, Liu, Liangbei, Wulan, Bari, Li, Huan, Liu, Guofu, Feng, Xiangyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14930

This study investigated the hydrochar-based porous carbon prepared by combining the technical route of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) + chemical activation. The hydrochar morphology was adjusted by changing the activation reaction conditions and adding metal salts. Experiments showed that the activation of KHCO significantly increased the specific surface area and pore size of the hydrochar. Besides, oxygen-rich groups on the surface of the activated hydrochar interacted with heavy metal ions to achieve efficient adsorption. The activated hydrothermal carbon adsorption capacity for Pb and Cd ions reached 289 and 186 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption mechanism study indicated that the adsorption of Pb and Cd was related to electrostatic attraction, ion exchange, and complexation reactions. The "HTC + chemical activation" technology was environmentally friendly and effectively implemented antibiotic residues. Carbon materials with high adsorption capacity can be prepared so that biomass resources can be utilized with excessive value, as a consequence presenting technical assistance for the comprehensive disposal of organic waste in the pharmaceutical industry and establishing a green and clean production system.