Conventional biochar has limited effectiveness in the
adsorption
of sulfonamide antibiotics, while modified biochar exhibits greater
adsorption potential. Residues of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in the aquatic
environment can threaten the safety of microbial populations as well
as humans. In this study, iron–nitrogen co-doped modified biochar
(Fe-N-BC) was prepared from palm fibers and doped with Fe and urea
via synthesis at 500 °C. Fe-N-BC has a richer surface functional
group based on elemental content, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,
X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The
Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area test
exhibited Fe-N-BC, which possessed a greater surface area (318.203
m2/g) and a better developed pore structure (0.149 cm3/g). The results of the hysteresis loop and the Raman spectrum
show that Fe-N-BC has a higher degree of magnetization and graphitization.
Fe-N-BC showed a remarkable adsorption capacity for SMX (42.9 mg/g),
which could maintain 93.4% adsorption effect after four cycles, and
82.8% adsorption capacity in simulated piggery wastewater. The adsorption
mechanism involves pore filling, surface complexation, electrostatic
interactions, hydrogen bonding, and π–π EDA interactions.
The results of this study show that Fe-N-BC prepared from palm fibers
can be a stable, excellent adsorbent for SMX removal from wastewater
and has promise in terms of practical applications.
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