Regulation of biochar mediated catalytic degradation of quinolone antibiotics: Important role of environmentally persistent free radicals

Antibiotic pollution threatens aquatic ecosystems and water supplies, so analysis of ecofriendly remediation approaches like biochars with catalytic degradation abilities is a top priority. In this work, quinolone antibiotics were degraded by activating oxidants to generate transient radicals using the environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) carried by biochar. The physical and chemical characterization confirmed that biochar is suitable for the removal of organic pollutants. By regulating biochar preparation parameters, it was found that EPFR generation peaked at 500 degrees C. As the temperature increased from 300 degrees C to 500 degrees C, the EPFRs changed from oxygen-centered radicals (g > 2.0040) to carbon-centered radicals (g < 2.0030). The catalytic degradation efficiencies of the EPFR activated oxidants from large to small were: peroxydisulfate (PDS), peroxymonosulfate (PMS), H2O2 and flowing O-2. The combined actions of SO4 center dot- and center dot OH effectively degraded antibiotics. The results showed that biochar activating persulfate is a promising technique for the degradation of antibiotics.

Automated summary

This study identified an environmentally friendly remediation approach using biochar to degrade quinolone antibiotics by activating oxidants. By adjusting the parameters of biochar preparation, the efficiency of environmentally persistent free radical generation can be enhanced. The results indicate that biochar activation of persulfate is a promising technique for antibiotic degradation.