High specific surface area N-doped activated carbon from hydrothermal carbonization of shaddock peel for the removal of norfloxacin from aqueous solution

Abstract

A novel N-doped activated carbon (NAC) derived from the shaddock peel was investigated to remove Norfloxacin (NFX) from aqueous solution. The Box-Behnken central composite design (BBD) was used to optimize the preparation conditions of NAC. The specific surface area of NAC was 2,481.81 m2 g−1, which was obtained at the 1,106 K activation temperatures, 2.4 h residence time, and 2.3:1 the mass ratio of KOH to hydrochar. Moreover, the equilibrium data were perfectly represented by Langmuir and Koble-Corrigan isotherms, and the adsorption process was precisely described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Besides, the adsorption of NFX on NAC was mainly controlled by π-π electron-donor-acceptor (EDA) interaction, hydrophobic effect, hydrogen-bonding, electrostatic interaction and Lewis acid-base effect. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of NFX was 746.29 mg g−1 at 298 K, implying that NAC was a promising adsorbent for the removal of NFX from aqueous solution.

A review of the adsorption method for norfloxacin reduction from aqueous media

“…Similar observations were also made by Chen, Li [101] using iron-based mesoporous material (Fe-MCM-41) as an adsorbent. Niu, Liu [102] obtained an opposite result as increase in temperature from 25 ℃ to 45 ℃, improved the adsorption capacity from 746 mg/g to 798 mg/g. Similar observations have also been obtained by several studies [ 103 , 104 ].…”

“…(ºC) SSA (m 2 /g) Average pore volume (cm 3 /g) Method of determination Refs. Graphene oxide/MOF based composite 1114.8 – – 49.95 – Langmuir [83] Magnesium oxide/Chitosan/Graphene oxide 1000.0 7.0 – 294.0 – Langmuir [92] N-doped activated carbon from shaddock peel 798.40 – 45 2481 – Langmuir [102] Trapa natans husk based AC 638.60 7.5 – 1274 1.087 Langmuir [107] Chitosan-hydroxyapatite nano-adsorbent 625.00 7.0 45 – – Langmuir [6] Pine needle based Fe/Cu oxides composite 609.86 40 27.80 0.093 Langmuir [108] Magnetic halloysite nanotubes/molecularly imprinted polymer composite 512.82 – 25 – – Langmuir [109] Lotus stalk-based activated carbon 456.18 5.5 – 1289 – Langmuir [110] Fe-Cu oxide nanocomposite from Loquat leaf extract 453.70 – 40 13.38 0.055 Langmuir [103] …”

“…This could be attributed to the fact that biochar and activated carbon are characterized by irregular lamellar structure, which enhances its heterogeneous surface to promote multilayer adsorption of NRFX [3,114,141]. Aside Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm, a few other equilibrium models which effectively described NRFX adsorption include Redlich-Peterson [ 16 , 80 , 108 , 183 ], Sips [ 5 , 14 , 104 ], Dubinin-Astakhov [ 91 , 111 ], Koble-Corrigan [ 102 , 120 ], Polanyi-Manes [157] , and Temkin [134] .…”

Recent Advances in Using Adsorbent Derived from Agricultural Waste for Antibiotics and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Wastewater Treatment: A Review

“…Norfloxacin (NFX, 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1, 4-dihydro-4-oxygen-7-(1-piperazinyl)-3-quinoline carboxylic acid) fluoroquinolone compound is mostly used to treat diseases in livestock, animal products, and humans, including urinary tract infections, viral infections, and inflammations [43,44]. NFX is an antibiotic that has been found in recent years at degrees ranging from nanograms per liter (ng/L) to micrograms per liter (g/L) in various marine environments and drinking water [45].…”

“…A new shaddock peel-derived N-doped activated carbon (NAC) was examined for its capacity to eliminate NFX from aqueous solution [44]. The adsorption process was accurately characterized by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the Langmuir and Koble-Corrigan isotherms provided a perfect fit to the equilibrium data.…”