Adsorptive-photocatalytic removal of tetracycline from wastewater by Fe3O4- and SnO2-containing biochar nanocomposites

Abstract Tetracycline poses a major threat to the aquatic environment and human health, and there is an urgent need for a green, efficient and recyclable technological means to remove its negative effects. To address this need, three Fe3O4@SnO2 modified wheat straw biochar nanocomposites with differ...

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Main Authors: Chuchen Zhang, Shuwen Zhao, Qilan Huang, Jianqiao Liu, Qianru Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-02-01
Series:Biochar
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-024-00420-4
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author Chuchen Zhang
Shuwen Zhao
Qilan Huang
Jianqiao Liu
Qianru Zhang
author_facet Chuchen Zhang
Shuwen Zhao
Qilan Huang
Jianqiao Liu
Qianru Zhang
author_sort Chuchen Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Tetracycline poses a major threat to the aquatic environment and human health, and there is an urgent need for a green, efficient and recyclable technological means to remove its negative effects. To address this need, three Fe3O4@SnO2 modified wheat straw biochar nanocomposites with different Fe/Sn content ratios (Fe/Sn = 0.5, Fe/Sn = 1, and Fe/Sn = 2) were prepared by pyrolysis. The adsorption and degradation properties and related mechanisms of Fe3O4@SnO2 modified wheat straw biochar nanocomposites were investigated by adsorption, degradation and free radical quenching experiments, as well as EPR analysis. The removal of tetracycline by Fe3O4@SnO2 modified wheat straw biochar nanocomposites (Fe/Sn = 0.5) at pH 7.0 within 3 h was up to 91.80%, which is in accordance with the quasi-primary kinetic model. Under the interference of inorganic anions and cations, the removal of tetracycline by the composites was not affected by the coexisting ions except Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3 − and CO3 2−. The composites were able to efficiently remove tetracycline from pharmaceutical wastewater with a removal rate of 82.33%. It was found that the composites could be reused at least five times. FTIR, XPS combined with DFT calculations elucidated the mechanism of tetracycline removal by the composites, with •OH and •O2 − being the main substances involved in the photodegradation of tetracycline, the incorporation of manganese dioxide quantum dots enhancing the response to visible light, and the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles resulting in rapid charge transfer and improved spatial separation of photogenerated carriers. The modification measures significantly increased the specific surface area of the biochar and enhanced the adsorption and photocatalytic properties. Based on these studies, the developed nanocomposites provide a new idea for the removal of antibiotics from pharmaceutical wastewater. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-8bec366c352247348fb85d186ec7e6c62025-08-20T02:15:17ZengSpringerBiochar2524-78672025-02-017111910.1007/s42773-024-00420-4Adsorptive-photocatalytic removal of tetracycline from wastewater by Fe3O4- and SnO2-containing biochar nanocompositesChuchen Zhang0Shuwen Zhao1Qilan Huang2Jianqiao Liu3Qianru Zhang4State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-Arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesState Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-Arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesState Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-Arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesCollege of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime UniversityState Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-Arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesAbstract Tetracycline poses a major threat to the aquatic environment and human health, and there is an urgent need for a green, efficient and recyclable technological means to remove its negative effects. To address this need, three Fe3O4@SnO2 modified wheat straw biochar nanocomposites with different Fe/Sn content ratios (Fe/Sn = 0.5, Fe/Sn = 1, and Fe/Sn = 2) were prepared by pyrolysis. The adsorption and degradation properties and related mechanisms of Fe3O4@SnO2 modified wheat straw biochar nanocomposites were investigated by adsorption, degradation and free radical quenching experiments, as well as EPR analysis. The removal of tetracycline by Fe3O4@SnO2 modified wheat straw biochar nanocomposites (Fe/Sn = 0.5) at pH 7.0 within 3 h was up to 91.80%, which is in accordance with the quasi-primary kinetic model. Under the interference of inorganic anions and cations, the removal of tetracycline by the composites was not affected by the coexisting ions except Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3 − and CO3 2−. The composites were able to efficiently remove tetracycline from pharmaceutical wastewater with a removal rate of 82.33%. It was found that the composites could be reused at least five times. FTIR, XPS combined with DFT calculations elucidated the mechanism of tetracycline removal by the composites, with •OH and •O2 − being the main substances involved in the photodegradation of tetracycline, the incorporation of manganese dioxide quantum dots enhancing the response to visible light, and the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles resulting in rapid charge transfer and improved spatial separation of photogenerated carriers. The modification measures significantly increased the specific surface area of the biochar and enhanced the adsorption and photocatalytic properties. Based on these studies, the developed nanocomposites provide a new idea for the removal of antibiotics from pharmaceutical wastewater. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-024-00420-4Biochar nanocompositesTetracyclinePhotocatalysisDFT calculation
spellingShingle Chuchen Zhang
Shuwen Zhao
Qilan Huang
Jianqiao Liu
Qianru Zhang
Adsorptive-photocatalytic removal of tetracycline from wastewater by Fe3O4- and SnO2-containing biochar nanocomposites
Biochar
Biochar nanocomposites
Tetracycline
Photocatalysis
DFT calculation
title Adsorptive-photocatalytic removal of tetracycline from wastewater by Fe3O4- and SnO2-containing biochar nanocomposites
title_full Adsorptive-photocatalytic removal of tetracycline from wastewater by Fe3O4- and SnO2-containing biochar nanocomposites
title_fullStr Adsorptive-photocatalytic removal of tetracycline from wastewater by Fe3O4- and SnO2-containing biochar nanocomposites
title_full_unstemmed Adsorptive-photocatalytic removal of tetracycline from wastewater by Fe3O4- and SnO2-containing biochar nanocomposites
title_short Adsorptive-photocatalytic removal of tetracycline from wastewater by Fe3O4- and SnO2-containing biochar nanocomposites
title_sort adsorptive photocatalytic removal of tetracycline from wastewater by fe3o4 and sno2 containing biochar nanocomposites
topic Biochar nanocomposites
Tetracycline
Photocatalysis
DFT calculation
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s42773-024-00420-4
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