Comparative study on characteristics and mechanism of levofloxacin adsorption on swine manure biochar

This study evaluated the relationship between pyrolysis temperature (300-900 degrees C), characteristics of swine manure (SM)-derived biochar (BC), and its adsorption of levofloxacin (LEV). The surface structure and chemistry of SM-derived BCs were characterized using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. According to the characteristic analysis, the surface area and graphitization degree of SM-derived BC increased as temperature rose. The highest adsorption capacity was achieved by BC-900 (158 mg/g); this level was higher than that achieved in previous studies and comparable to that of commercial activated carbons. Characterization and adsorption experiments indicated that pore-filling, pi-pi stacking interaction, pi-pi electron donor-acceptor, H-bonding, and hydrophobic interactions each played a critical role in the adsorption of LEV on SM-derived BC. Collectively, this study confirms the potential utility of SM-derived BC for the removal of antibiotics.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the relationship between pyrolysis temperature, characteristics of swine manure-derived biochar, and its adsorption of levofloxacin. The results showed that the surface area and graphitization degree of the biochar increased with temperature, leading to higher adsorption capacity. Characterization and adsorption experiments revealed multiple mechanisms involved in the adsorption process. The study confirms the potential utility of swine manure-derived biochar for antibiotic removal.