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Pyrolysis condition affected sulfamethazine sorption by tea waste biochars

  • Anushka Upamali Rajapaksha
  • , Meththika Vithanage
  • , Ming Zhang
  • , Mahtab Ahmad
  • , Dinesh Mohan
  • , Scott X. Chang
  • , Yong Sik Ok

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

358 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sulfamethazine (SMT) as a veterinary drug has been detected frequently in the environment. In this study, six biochars produced from tea waste (TW) at 300 and 700°C with or without N2 and steam activation were characterized and evaluated for SMT sorption in water. The sorption of SMT was interpreted as a function of biochar production condition, SMT concentration, pH and physicochemical characteristics of biochar. Distribution coefficient data showed high sorption of SMT at low pH (~3) and the highest sorption density of 33.81mgg-1 was achieved by the steam activated biochar produced at 700°C. The steam activation process increased the adsorption capacity by increasing the surface area of the biochar. The π-π electron donor-acceptor interaction, cation-π interaction and cation exchange at low pH were the primary mechanisms governing SMT retention by biochars. Overall, steam activated tea waste biochar could be a promising remedy of SMT removal from water.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)303-308
Number of pages6
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume166
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2014
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

  • Black carbon
  • Charcoal
  • Emerging contaminant
  • Low cost adsorbent
  • Veterinary antibiotics

Programme Area

  • Programme Area 2: Water Resources

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