Preparation of hierarchical porous carbons from sodium carboxymethyl cellulose via halloysite template strategy coupled with KOH-activation for efficient removal of chloramphenicol

Solvent-free synthesis of defective Zr-based metal-organic framework from waste plastic bottles for highly efficient lomefloxacin removal

Large amount of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics waster and emerging contaminants in water, including fluoroquinolone antibiotics, pose challenges to human survival. In this work, a green synthesis scheme is proposed in which the defective UiO-66 (d-UiO-66) is fabricated via a solvent-free routine by using PET plastics waster as raw materials for lomefloxacin (LOM) removal. In comparison with defect-free UiO-66, the created defect imparts d-UiO-66 with higher porosity and abundant defective Zr sites, which are beneficial to boost LOM adsorption. As expected, d-UiO-66 exhibited excellent LOM adsorption performances, showcasing a saturation adsorption capacity of 588 mg g-1 and a kinetic rate constant of 0.204 g mg-1 h-1, which are 3.5 and 2.0 times higher than those of the pristine UiO-66, respectively. Remarkably, the LOM saturation adsorption capacity of d-UiO-66 surpasses that of all reported adsorbents. Mechanism study reveals that this outstanding adsorption performance of d-UiO-66 is mainly ascribed to the abundant defective sites, high porosity, together with the strong hydrogen bonding interaction and π-π stacking interaction between d-UiO-66 and LOM. Therefore, the d-UiO-66 obtained by the solvent-free method can not only effectively upcycle PET plastic waster, but also efficiently remove LOM, demonstrating a potential routine to simultaneous address the solid PET waster and wastewater.

Synthesis and Characterization of Environmentally Friendly β-Cyclodextrin Cross-Linked Cellulose/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogels for Adsorption of Malathion

The widespread use of malathion enhances agricultural plant productivity by eliminating pests, weeds, and diseases, but it may lead to serious environmental pollution and potential health risks for humans and animals. To mitigate these issues, environmentally friendly hydrogel adsorbents for malathion were synthesized using biodegradable polymers, specifically cellulose, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and biobased epichlorohydrin as a cross-linker. This study investigated the effects of the cellulose-to-PVA ratio and epichlorohydrin (ECH) content on the properties and malathion adsorption capabilities of β-CD/cellulose/PVA hydrogels. It was found that the gel content of the hydrogels increased with a higher cellulose-to PVA and ECH ratio, whereas the swelling ratio decreased, indicating a denser structure that impedes water permeation. In addition, various parameters affecting the malathion adsorption capacity of the hydrogel, namely, contact time, pH, hydrogel dosage, initial concentration of malathion, and temperature, were studied. The hydrogel prepared with a β-CD/cellulose/PVA ratio of 20:40:40 and 9 mL of ECH exhibited the highest malathion adsorption rate and capacity, which indicated an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 656.41 mg g-1 at an initial malathion concentration of 1000 mg L-1. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ζ-potential, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and NMR spectroscopy confirmed malathion adsorption within the hydrogel. The adsorption process followed intraparticle diffusion kinetics and corresponded to Freundlich isotherms, indicating multilayer adsorption on heterogeneous substrates within the adsorbent, facilitated by diffusion.

Adsorption of chloramphenicol from water using Carex meyeriana Kunth-derived hierarchical porous carbon with open channel arrays

A carbon material with both open macrochannel arrays and abundant micro/mesopores was prepared, characterized, and applied for removing chloramphenicol (CAP) from water. In the preparation process, Carex meyeriana Kunth (CM) with natural channel arrays was used as the precursor for producing the biochar, and NaOH was used for removing silicon and formatting micro- and mesopores of the porous carbon. The product (PCCM) exhibited the highest specific surface area (2700.24 m² g^-1) among the reported CM-derived porous carbons. The adsorption performances of PCCM were evaluated through batch adsorption experiments. The maximum adsorption capacity of PCCM toward CAP was 1659.43 mg g^-1. The adsorption mechanism was investigated with the aid of theoretical calculations. Moreover, PCCM exhibited better performance than other porous carbon adsorbents in fixed-bed experiments, which may be due to its structural advantages.

Ultrahigh sorption of sulfamethoxazole by potassium hydroxide-modified biochars derived from bean-worm skin waste

Food processing of bean worm generates copious amount of skin as solid waste posing a serious environmental concern. The present study utilized bean worm skin (BWS) waste to produce KOH-modified biochars (KBWS-BCs) for the removal of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) from aqueous solution for the first time. Characterization of KBWS-BCs was systematically investigated via multiple instrumental analysis techniques. The sorption performance of KBWS-BCs as a function of solution pH, reaction time, initial SMX concentration, and reaction temperature was investigated using batch experiments. The classic kinetics and isotherm models were employed to fit the sorption data. KBWS-BCs exhibited large surface areas (3331-4742 m² g^-1) and ultrahigh sorption performance for SMX (maximum adsorption capacities of 909-2000 mg g^-1), which were comparable to those of other modified biochars and even those of well-designed materials. Thermodynamic study indicated that the sorption of SMX on KBWS-BCs was a spontaneous (△G° < 0) and exothermic (△H° < 0) process. Mechanism analysis showed that both chemisorption and physisorption were responsible for the adsorption of SMX by KBWS-BCs. Overall, recycling BWS for preparation of high-performance biochars can be a "win-win" strategy for both disposal of BWS and removal of SMX from wastewater.

Recent Advances in Carbon-Based Materials for Adsorptive and Photocatalytic Antibiotic Removal

Antibiotics have been a primary environmental concern due to their widespread dispersion, harmful bioaccumulation, and resistance to mineralization. Unfortunately, typical processes in wastewater treatment plants are insufficient for complete antibiotic removal, and their derivatives in effluent can pose a threat to human health and aquatic communities. Adsorption and photocatalysis are proven to be the most commonly used and promising tertiary treatment methods. Carbon-based materials, especially those based on graphene, carbon nanotube, biochar, and hierarchical porous carbon, have attracted much attention in antibiotic removal as green adsorbents and photocatalysts because of their availability, unique pore structures, and superior physicochemical properties. This review provides an overview of the characteristics of the four most commonly used carbonaceous materials and their applications in antibiotic removal via adsorption and photodegradation, and the preparation of carbonaceous materials and remediation properties regarding target contaminants are clarified. Meanwhile, the fundamental adsorption and photodegradation mechanisms and influencing factors are summarized. Finally, existing problems and future research needs are put forward. This work is expected to inspire subsequent research in carbon-based adsorbent and photocatalyst design, particularly for antibiotics removal.

Occurrence, toxicity and adsorptive removal of the chloramphenicol antibiotic in water: a review

Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum bacterial antibiotic used against conjunctivitis, meningitis, plague, cholera, and typhoid fever. As a consequence, chloramphenicol ends up polluting the aquatic environment, wastewater treatment plants, and hospital wastewaters, thus disrupting ecosystems and inducing microbial resistance. Here, we review the occurrence, toxicity, and removal of chloramphenicol with emphasis on adsorption techniques. We present the adsorption performance of adsorbents such as biochar, activated carbon, porous carbon, metal-organic framework, composites, zeolites, minerals, molecularly imprinted polymers, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The effect of dose, pH, temperature, initial concentration, and contact time is discussed. Adsorption is controlled by π-π interactions, donor-acceptor interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions. We also discuss isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamic data, selection of eluents, desorption efficiency, and regeneration of adsorbents. Porous carbon-based adsorbents exhibit excellent adsorption capacities of 500-1240 mg g^-1. Most adsorbents can be reused over at least four cycles.

Theoretical Insight into the Interaction between Chloramphenicol and Functional Monomer (Methacrylic Acid) in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers

Molecular imprinting technology is a promising method for detecting chloramphenicol (CAP), a broad-spectrum antibiotic with potential toxicity to humans, in animal-derived foods. This work aimed to investigate the interactions between the CAP as a template and functional monomers required for synthesizing efficient molecularly imprinted polymers for recognition and isolation of CAP based on density functional theory. The most suitable monomer, methacrylic acid (MAA), was determined based on interaction energies and Gibbs free energy changes. Further, the reaction sites of CAP and MAA was predicted through the frontier molecular orbitals and molecular electrostatic potentials. Atoms in molecules topology analysis and non-covalent interactions reduced density gradient were applied to investigate different types of non-covalent and inter-atomic interactions. The simulation results showed that CAP was the main electron donor, while MAA was the main electron acceptor. Moreover, the CAP–MAA complex simultaneously involved N-H···O and C=O···H double hydrogen bonds, where the strength of the latter was greater than that of the former. The existence of hydrogen bonds was also confirmed by theoretical and experimental hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyses. This research can act as an important reference for intermolecular interactions and provide strong theoretical guidance regarding CAP in the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers.

Waste biomass valorization through production of xylose-based porous carbon microspheres for supercapacitor applications

Sequential potassium hydroxide (KOH)-phosphoric acid (H3PO4) activation was applied to biomass waste to fabricate activated carbon microspheres (mCMs) with a controllable porous structure. Carbon microspheres (CMs) were first synthesized from xylose using a bottom-up approach of hydrothermal carbonization. Sequential KOH and H₃PO₄ activation was applied to the CMs in a KOH-carbon solid reaction. This created pores, which were further enlarged by adsorption of H₃PO₄. The KOH:carbon (C) and H₃PO₄:C molar ratios, and the H₃PO₄ heating rate and activation time, were varied to investigate the effect on average pore size and pore distribution. A uniform porous structure was formed without destruction of the spherical shape, and an almost 700-fold increase in surface area was obtained over the non-activated CMs. Following activation with H₃PO₄, phosphorous groups were found to be present at the surface of the carbon microspheres. The mCM was tested as a supercapacitor electrode and was shown to have a maximum specific capacitance of up to 277F g^-1. A Ragone plot showed the maximum power density to be 173.88 W Kg^-1. This increased specific capacitance was attributed to the increase in surface area and the presence of phosphorous-containing acid sites on the material surface.

Adsorption of Chloramphenicol on Commercial and Modified Activated Carbons

The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of applying commercial activated carbons currently used in water treatment plants and modified carbon at 400 and 800 °C in the atmosphere of air, water vapour and carbon dioxide to remove chloramphenicol. Adsorption kinetics was examined for solutions with pH of 2–10. Adsorption kinetics were determined for the initial concentration of chloramphenicol of 161 mg/dm3 and the adsorption isotherm was determined for the concentrations of 161 to 1615 mg/dm3. Of the analysed activated carbons (F-300, F-100, WG-12, ROW 08 Supra and Picabiol), the highest adsorption capacity was obtained for the use of Picabiol (214 mg/g), characterized by the highest specific surface area and pore volume. The pH value of the solution has little effect on the adsorption of chloramphenicol (the highest adsorption was found for pH = 10, qm = 190 mg/g, whereas the lowest—for pH = 6, qm = 208 mg/g). Modification of activated carbon WG-12 at 800 °C caused an increase in adsorption capacity from 195 mg/g (unmodified carbon) to 343 mg/g. A high correlation coefficient was found between the capacity of activated carbons and the total volume of micropores and mesopores. Among the examined adsorption kinetics equations (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich, intraparticle diffusion), the lowest values of the R2 correlation coefficient were obtained for the pseudo-first order equation. Other models with high correlation coefficient values described the adsorption kinetics. The adsorption results were modelled by means of the Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin and Dubibin–Radushkevich adsorption isotherms. For all activated carbons and process conditions, the best match to the test results was obtained using the Langmuir model, whereas the lowest was found for the Dubibin–Radushkevich model.

Theoretical and experimental research on self-assembly system of molecularly imprinted polymers formed via chloramphenicol and methacrylic acid

Chloramphenicol was chosen as the imprinting molecule and the methacrylic acid was chosen as the functional monomer to prepare molecularly imprinted polymers. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, and trimethylolpropane trimethylacrylate were used as the cross-linking agents, respectively. The interaction processes between chloramphenicol and methacrylic acid were simulated by using the ωB97XD/6-31G (d,p) method. The self-assembled configuration, bonding sites, binding number, binding energy, and interaction principle of stable complex formed by chloramphenicol and methacrylic acid with different molar ratios have been studied. The selectivity of the most stable complex formed from chloramphenicol and methacrylic acid was discussed with the thiamphenicol and florfenicol as the analogues of chloramphenicol. The results showed that chloramphenicol and methacrylic acid were interacted through the hydrogen bonds. When the molar ratio was 1:10 and pentaerythritol triacrylate as the cross-linking agent, the ordered complex formed by chloramphenicol and methacrylic acid has the largest amount of hydrogen bonds and the lowest binding energy. Scatchard analysis showed that the maximum apparent adsorption capacity was 173.3 mg/g (0.536 mol/g), and the selection factor of florfenicol was the largest. This study provides a reliable theoretical and experimental basis for the design, preparation, and characterization of chloramphenicol molecularly imprinted polymers.

KOH modified Thevetia peruviana shell activated carbon for sorption of dimethoate from aqueous solution

Modified Thevetia peruviana shell activated carbon for sorption of dimethoate from aqueous solution derived with potassium hydroxide (KOH) was studied at different concentrations for its potential application in water treatment. The batch sorption was investigated using dimethoate solution of 10-100 mg/L concentrations. Proximate analysis was determined and changes on the surfaces and structure of the TPS were characterized after chemical activation with KOH using XRD, FTIR, SEM-EDAX, pH_pzc, BET. The quantum chemical calculation for dimethoate yielded molecule associated energies of -9.8421 (HOMO) and -2.3879 (LUMO) and a total energy of -53,376.2. The kinetic of the sorption was modeled which indicated the sorption equilibrium time as 90 min and pseudo-first order kinetics model showing R² = 0.994 provided a better description of the process. Analysis of sorption equilibrium revealed that the data fitted well to Freundlich sorption isotherm model (R² = 0.966), indicating multi-layer sorption of dimethoate on the surface of sorbent. The sorption of dimethoate onto KOHTPS shows 92.60% removal efficiency.