Removal of tetracycline from aqueous solution by biochar derived from rice straw

Abstract

Antibiotic pollution has drawn considerable attention and the removal of antibiotic from water is crucial. In the present study, biochars were produced from rice straw under different pyrolytic temperatures of 300 °C, 500 °C, and 700 °C (RSBC300, RSBC500, and RSBC700, respectively). The biochars were used to remove tetracycline (TC) from aqueous solution and the influence of different experimental conditions on TC removal was investigated. The results showed that the order of adsorption was as follows: RSBC700 > RSBC500 > RSBC300. A pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm model described the adsorption process of TC on biochars. Maximum adsorption capacity could reach 50.72 mg g⁻¹ at 35 °C based on Langmuir fitting. Initial pH of the solution had little influence on TC removal. The inhibitory effect of Ca²⁺ on TC removal was greater than that of Na⁺. High system temperature was beneficial for TC removal. Minerals in RSBC500 affected TC removal and minerals in RSBC300 and RSBC700 had little influence on TC removal. TC removal rate decreased from 58.86 to 27.84% when the minerals were removed from RSBC500. The main mechanism involved in high-temperature biochar and TC adsorption included EDA π-π interactions and electrostatic interactions. Therefore, high-temperature biochar derived from rice straw has the potential to act as an adsorbent to remove tetracycline from aqueous solution.