Removal of amoxicillin by coffee grounds biochar with different pretreatment methods
Sue Won Choi, Jiseok Hong, Sungmin Youn, Ijung Kim
Abstract
In this study, coffee grounds biochar was successfully applied to remove amoxicillin (AMX) in water, addressing the potential of coffee grounds recycling as an adsorbent for contaminants. The coffee grounds biochar was produced using different activators (ZnCl2 and H3PO4) and varied carbonized temperatures (300, 450, and 600°C). Overall, the AMX adsorption was noteworthy, with ZnCl2-activated biochar at 600°C, achieving a 99.83% removal efficiency and a maximum adsorption density of 178.57 mg/g. This was attributed to its highly porous structure with a substantial meso/micropore surface area. The pseudo models aligned well with the experimental results, indicating surface reaction predominantly governed adsorption. This study underscores the significance of activator choice and carbonization temperature in the production of coffee grounds biochar as a water contaminant adsorbent, given its impressive removal efficacy and availability.