Evaluation of different functionalization methodologies for improving the removal of three target antibiotics from wastewater by a brewery waste activated carbon
Érika M.L. Sousa, Marta Otero, M.V. Gil, Paula Ferreira, Valdemar I. Esteves, Vânia Calisto
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, K 2 CO 3 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 ~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 μmol g −1 , 315 ± 2 μmol g −1 and 201 ± 5 μmol 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. • Oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur modified AC with different properties were obtained. • Functionalized AC were tested for the adsorption of 3 antibiotics in water matrices. • Textural properties were strongly affected by the type of functionalization. • Kinetic and equilibrium studies were done and compared with non-functionalized AC. • Langmuir q m was up to 58 % larger for functionalized AC than for AC.