Evaluation of different functionalization methodologies for improving the removal of three target antibiotics from wastewater by a brewery waste activated carbon

abstract

This work aims to increase the efficiency of an activated carbon produced from brewery waste (AC) in the removal of three target antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole (SMX), trimethoprim (TMP), and ciprofloxacin (CIP)) by surface incorporation of oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur groups. AC was produced using spent brewery grains (the most abundant waste from the brewing industry) as raw material, K2CO3 as activating agent and microwave energy for pyrolysis. Then, seven different functionalized AC were prepared, characterized for their physicochemical properties, and tested for adsorption (%) of SMX, TMP and CIP from three different matrices (ultrapure water (pH similar to 5-6), buffered ultrapure water (pH 8), and effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP effluent (pH 8)), under batch operation. Based on the obtained results, an oxygen functionalized AC was selected for further characterization and studies on the adsorption of the target antibiotics from the WWTP effluent. Kinetic results fitted the pseudo-second order model and the equilibrium isotherms were adequately described by the Langmuir model, reaching maximum adsorption capacities (q(m)) of 124 +/- 1 mu mol g(-1), 315 +/- 2 mu mol g(-1) and 201 +/- 5 mu mol g(-1) for SMX, TMP and CIP, respectively. The selected functionalization increased q(m) by up to 58 % in comparison with the non-functionalized AC. The oxygen modified AC produced from a biomass waste remarkably improved its performance for an efficient application in the removal of antibiotics from wastewater.

keywords

SEWAGE-SLUDGE; ADSORPTION; PHARMACEUTICALS; BIOCHAR; OXYGEN; XPS

subject category

Environmental Sciences & Ecology

authors

Sousa, ÉML; Otero, M; Gil, MV; Ferreira, P; Esteves, VI; Calisto, V

Groups

G2 - Photonic, Electronic and Magnetic Materials

Projects

CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)

CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)

Otimização do tratamento de águas residuais por adsorção-degradação sinergética de micro-contaminantes orgânicos utilizando materiais de carbono modificados com enzimas (SYNERGY)

acknowledgements

This work was developed within the project SYNERGY (2022.02028. PTDC) , supported by National funds (OE) , through FCT/MCTES. The authors acknowledge financial support to CESAM by FCT/MCTES (UIDP/50017/2020+UIDB/50017/2020+LA/P/0094/2020) , through national funds. This work was also developed in the scope of the Project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020 & UIDP/50011/2020) . Erika M.L. Sousa thanks her PhD grant (2020.05390.BD) , supported by national funds and FSE through Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) . Maria V. Gil acknowledges support from the Ramon y Cajal grant RYC-2017-21937 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by "ESF Investing in your future".r y Cajal grant RYC-2017-21937 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by "ESF Investing in your future".