Metal-free single heteroatom (N, O, and B)-doped coconut-shell biochar for enhancing the degradation of sulfathiazole antibiotics by peroxymonosulfate and its effects on bacterial community dynamics

Knowledge graph and development hotspots of biochar as an emerging aquatic antibiotic remediator: A scientometric exploration based on VOSviewer and CiteSpace

As an emerging material in the field of environmental remediation, biochar produced by carbonisation of organic solid waste has been widely used in the remediation of antibiotic wastewater due to its environmental friendliness and excellent adsorption properties. This study analyses the current literature in the field in a comprehensive and scientific manner using CiteSpace and VOSviewer technologies. Between 2011 and 2023, a total of 1162 papers were published in this domain, spanning three distinct stages: applied methods, mechanism investigation, and enhanced improvement. The results of keyword clustering indicate that the remediation of antibiotics complexed with multiple pollutants by biochar is the main research topic, followed by the remediation of antibiotics by biochar in combination with other technologies. Furthermore, drawing from current research hotspots in antibiotic remediation using biochar, this study identified the pivotal mechanisms involved: (1) The primary mechanisms by which raw biochar remediates antibiotics include π-π electron donor-acceptor interactions, hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen-bonding, and pore filling. (2) Steam activation, acid/base, metal salt/metal oxide, and clay mineral modification can improve the physical/chemical properties of biochar, enhancing its adsorptive removal of antibiotics. (3) Biochar activated persulfate and degraded antibiotics via free radical pathways (SO4-•, •OH and O2-•) as well as non-free radical pathways (1O2 and electron transfer). In addition, the challenge and prospect of biochar engineering applications for antibiotic remediation lies in improving the main mechanism of antibiotic remediation by biochar. The prospective utilization of biochar in enhancing the remediation of antibiotic-related pollutants holds tremendous value for the future.

A review on carbon-based biowaste and organic polymer materials for sustainable treatment of sulfonamides from pharmaceutical wastewater

Frequent detection of sulfonamides (SAs) pharmaceuticals in wastewater has necessitated the discovery of suitable technology for their sustainable remediation. Adsorption has been widely investigated due to its effectiveness, simplicity, and availability of various adsorbent materials from natural and artificial sources. This review highlighted the potentials of carbon-based adsorbents derived from agricultural wastes such as lignocellulose, biochar, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes graphene materials as well as organic polymers such as chitosan, molecularly imprinted polymers, metal, and covalent frameworks for SAs removal from wastewater. The promising features of these materials including higher porosity, rich carbon-content, robustness, good stability as well as ease of modification have been emphasized. Thus, the materials have demonstrated excellent performance towards the SAs removal, attributed to their porous nature that provided sufficient active sites for the adsorption of SAs molecules. The modification of physico-chemical features of the materials have been discussed as efficient means for enhancing their adsorption and reusable performance. The article also proposed various interactive mechanisms for the SAs adsorption. Lastly, the prospects and challenges have been highlighted to expand the knowledge gap on the application of the materials for the sustainable removal of the SAs.

Antibiotic removal from synthetic and real aqueous matrices by peroxymonosulfate-based advanced oxidation processes. A review of recent development

The widespread use of antibiotics for the treatment of bacteriological diseases causes their accumulation at low concentrations in natural waters. This gives health risks to animals and humans since it can increase the damage of the beneficial bacteria, the control of infectious diseases, and the resistance to bacterial infection. Potent oxidation methods are required to remove these pollutants from water because of their inefficient abatement in municipal wastewater treatment plants. Over the last three years in the period 2021-September 2023, powerful peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been developed to guaranty the effective removal of antibiotics in synthetic and real waters and wastewater. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the different procedures proposed to activate PMS-producing strong oxidizing agents like sulfate radical (SO4•-), hydroxyl radical (•OH, radical superoxide ion (O2•-), and non-radical singlet oxygen (1O2) at different proportions depending on the experimental conditions. Iron, non-iron transition metals, biochar, and carbonaceous materials catalytic, UVC, photocatalytic, thermal, electrochemical, and other processes for PMS activation are summarized. The fundamentals and characteristics of these procedures are detailed remarking on their oxidation power to remove antibiotics, the influence of operating variables, the production and detection of radical and non-radical oxidizing agents, the effect of added inorganic anions, natural organic matter, and aqueous matrix, and the identification of by-products formed. Finally, the theoretical and experimental analysis of the change of solution toxicity during the PMS-based AOPs are described.

Metal-free nitrogen and sulfur binary-doped cellulose-based biochar for efficient suppression of priority organic pollutants and environmental application

Biochar production from cellulose biomass is an alternative solution in the search for clean and renewable biofuel. However, the rational design of cellulose biochar (CLBC) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) reduction by integrating pyrolysis process parameters and introducing heteroatoms as inhibitors remains to be studied. Therefore, exogenous heteroatoms (N, B, S, SB, NB, and NS) were used to modify CLBC for the first time. CLBC300 pyrolyzed at 300 °C in a CO2 atmosphere achieved the highest concentrations of PAHs (4982 ± 271 ng g-1), compared with that of CLBC700 (3615 ± 71 ng g-1) formed in a N2 atmosphere without heteroatom doping. The results showed that binary nitrogen- and sulfur-doped CLBC exhibited remarkable PAH-removal performance of 99 % with the lowest toxic equivalency (TEQ) value of 9 ng g-1. Overall, this study presents novel insights into the development of a heteroatom-based modification approach for reducing CLBC-borne PAHs and creating value-added products from cellulose biomass.

N, S, and Cl tri-doped carbon boost the switching of radical to non-radical pathway in Fenton-like reactions: Synergism of N species and defects

Heteroatom doping represents a promising strategy for enhancing the generation of singlet oxygen (1O2) during the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) using carbon-based catalysts; however, it remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we systematically controlled the structure of metal-free carbon-based materials by introducing different heteroatoms to investigate their efficacy in degrading organic pollutants in water via PMS activation. The results of reactive oxygen species detection showed that the dominant free radical in the four samples was different: CN (•SO4- and •OH), CNS (•O2-), CNCl (1O2), and CNClS (1O2). This led to the transformation of active species from free radicals to non-free radicals. The tri-doped carbons with nitrogen, sulfur, and chlorine (CNClS) exhibited exceptional performance in PMS activation and achieved a remarkable degradation efficiency of 95% within just 6 min for tetracycline. Moreover, a strong linear correlation was observed between the ratio of pyridine-N/graphite-N and ID/IG with the yield of 1O2, indicating that N species and defects play a crucial role in CNClS as they facilitate the transition from radical to non-radical pathways during PMS activation. These findings highlight the possibility that adjustable tri-heteroatom doping will expand the Fenton-like reaction for the treatment of actual wastewater.

Efficient degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A using peroxymonosulfate oxidation activated by a novel nano-CuFe2O4@coconut shell biochar catalyst

In this study, a novel bimetallic complexation-curing nucleation-anaerobic calcination method was developed to synthesize a nano-CuFe2O4@coconut shell biochar (CuFe2O4@CSBC) catalyst to activate peroxymonosulfate for degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). The reaction processes of the TBBPA on CuFe2O4@CSBC have been investigated using in situ characterization and metal leaching. The effects of initial reaction conditions and degradation mechanism were investigated. Greater than 99% degradation of TBBPA at 10 mg L-1 was achieved in 30 min under the condition of pH 11, a total organic carbon removal rate of up to 70.67% was achieved and the degradation efficiency was 90% after 5 cycles of CuFe2O4@CSBC use. The degradation was in a second-order reaction at a constant of 0.797 M-1 min-1 (R2 = 0.993). The degradation was attributed to the main active species (SO4·-≈·OH < 1O2), and the surface active site of CuFe2O4@CSBC was the key role. The degradation process involved three main degradation pathways. Path A: ·OH attacked the C-Br bonds (TBBPA→TriBBPA→DBBPA→MBBPA→BPA); Path B: Hydroxylation and decarboxylation; Path C: Dehydrocoupling of TBBPA. What's more, the practical application of the system was very positive, achieved >77% degradation in sewage and industrial wastewater.

Generation and identification of 1O2 in catalysts/peroxymonosulfate systems for water purification

Catalysts for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation are appealing in the purification of organic wastewater. Singlet oxygen (1O2) is widely recognized as a crucial reactive species for degrading organic contaminants in catalysts/PMS systems due to its adamant resistance to inorganic anions, high selectivity, and broad pH applicability. With the rapid growth of studies on 1O2 in catalysts/PMS systems, it becomes necessary to provide a comprehensive review of its current state. This review highlights recent advancements concerning 1O2 in catalysts/PMS systems, with a primary focus on generation pathways and identification methods. The generation pathways of 1O2 are summarized based on whether (distinguished by the geometric structures of metal species) or not (distinguished by the active sites) the metal element is included in the catalysts. Furthermore, this review thoroughly discusses the influence of metal valence states and metal species with different geometric structures on 1O2 generation. Various potential strategies are explored to regulate the generation of 1O2 from the perspective of catalyst design. Identification methods of 1O2 primarily include electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), quenching experiments, reaction in D2O solution, and chemical probe tests in catalysts/PMS systems. The principles and applications of these methods are presented comprehensively along with their applicability, possible disagreements, and corresponding solutions. Besides, an identifying procedure on the combination of main identification methods is provided to evaluate the role of 1O2 in catalysts/PMS systems. Lastly, several perspectives for further studies are proposed to facilitate developments of 1O2 in catalysts/PMS systems.

Pyrolysis processes affecting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon profile of pineapple leaf biochar exemplified by atmosphere/temperature and heteroatom doping

The content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pineapple leaf biochar was examined as a function of pyrolysis atmosphere (CO₂ or N₂), pyrolysis temperature (300-900 °C), and heteroatom (N, B, O, P, NP, or NS) doping. Without doping, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon production was maximal (1332 ± 27 ng/g) in CO₂ at 300 °C and minimal (157 ± 2 ng/g) in N₂ at 700 °C. The main components naphthalene and acenaphthylene accounted for about 91% of the total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in the biochar prepared under CO₂ at 300 °C. Under the maximal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon production conditions (CO₂, 300 °C), doping decreased the total hydrocarbon content by 49% (N), 61% (B), 73% (O), 92% (P), 93% (NB), and 96% (NS). The results shed new light on the management of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in BC production by controlling the pyrolysis atmosphere and temperature in addition to heteroatom doping. Results significantly contributed to the development of circular bioeconomy.

Treatment of bisphenol pollutant in water by N,P-co-doped carbon nanosheet: Fast degradation, toxicity elimination and reaction mechanism investigation

Metal-free carbon catalysts perform well in peroxymonosulfate-based advanced oxidation process for the treatment of organic pollutant-containing wastewater. Herein, a natural biomolecule of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), containing abundant N and P elements, served as sole precursor to prepare N,P-co-doped carbon through one-step anoxic pyrolysis, which was applied as peroxymonosulfate activator to treat bisphenol-contaminated water. Owing to the endogenous N and P elements in ATP, in-situ doping was achieved for the prepared carbon material with excellent doping effect, such as high doping amount and numerous defects. During pyrolysis process, the generated gases facilitated the exfoliation of carbon structure, resulting in a nanosheet-like morphology with large specific surface area, e.g., 852.75 m² g^-1 for NPCN-900 sample obtained at 900 °C. Benefiting from the structural modulation brought by N,P co-doping, typical sample of NPCN-900 presented excellent catalytic performance towards bisphenol AF (BPAF) degradation through PMS activation. An apparent reaction rate constant of 0.4115 min^-1 was calculated under the investigated reaction conditions. Further studies indicated that ¹O₂, surface-bound •OH and SO₄^-• worked together in NPCN-900/PMS system for BPAF degradation. Graphitic N, pyrrolic N, CO groups, defect structure and the doped P atoms in NPCN-900 contributed to PMS activation. It was also important that the toxicity of BPAF solution could be preliminarily eliminated after treatment by NPCN-900/PMS system, which was verified by ecotoxicity assessments through ECOSAR program and green algae growth experiments.

Effects of pyrolysis conditions and heteroatom modification on the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons profile of biochar prepared from sorghum distillery residues

The formation of 2- to 6-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sorghum distillery residue-derived biochar (SDRBC) was evaluated under different thermochemical pyrolysis conditions of carbonization atmosphere (N2 or CO2), temperature (300-900 °C) and doping with nonmetallic elements, i.e., N, B, O, P, N + B, and N + S. The results indicated that without surface modification, PAHs formation was 944 ± 74 ng g-1, the highest level, and 181 ± 16 ng g-1, the lowest level, at 300 °C in N2 and CO2 atmosphere, respectively. Boron doping of SDRBC significantly reduced the PAHs content (by 97%) under N2 at 300 °C. Results demonstrated that boron modified SDRBC exhibited the highest degree of PAH reduction. Combined pyrolysis temperature and atmosphere in addition to heteroatom doping is a robust and viable strategy for efficient suppression of PAHs formation and high-value utilization of pyrolysis products of low carbon footprint.

Nitrogen and boron co-doped lignin biochar for enhancing calcium peroxide activation toward organic micropollutants decontamination in waste activated sludge and related microbial structure dynamics

This study synthesized dual heteroatom nitrogen and boron-co-doped lignin-based biochar (NB-LGBC) for calcium peroxide (CP) activation to enhance the removal of organic micropollutants (OMPs), namely, 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) from waste activated sludge (WAS). NB-LGBC/CP enhanced 4-NP degradation by arriving at 83 % removal in 12 h. The NB-LGBC/CP system degraded 4-NP via a synergistic interaction (HO•, O₂^•- radicals, and singlet oxygen) and electron transfer due to the N-B-C bonding configurations. Results of fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (FEEM) analysis revealed significantly increase in biodegradable organics from treated WAS mixture. NB-LGBC/CP treatment enriched alkaliphilic bacterium associated with the predominance of the genus Desulfonatronum within the phylum Proteobacteria in the WAS, which improved the biological treatment capacity of 4-NP. Thus, NB-LGBC in HR-CAOP will be a novel approach for WAS decontamination.

Microbial community structure and potential function associated with poly-3-hydroxybutyrate biopolymer-boosted activation of peroxymonosulfate for waste-activated sludge decontamination

Excess waste-activated sludge (WAS) is a major biosolid management problem due to its biohazardous and recalcitrant content of phthalate esters (PAEs). This study aimed to assess the combined use of biopolymer, poly-3-hydroxybutyrate and peroxymonosulfate to degrade PAEs and decontaminate WAS. Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate was biosynthesized by Cupriavidus sp. L7L. The combined poly-3-hydroxybutyrate and peroxymonosulfate process removed 86 % of PAEs from WAS in 12 h. The carbonyl groups of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate were conducive to peroxymonosulfate activation leading to PAE degradation followed the radical pathway and surface-mediated electron transfer. Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate and peroxymonosulfate also enriched the PAE-biodegrading microbes in WAS. The microbial population and the functional composition in response to peroxymonosultate treatment was identified, with the genus Sulfurisoma being the most abundant. This synergistic treatment, i.e., advanced oxidation process, was augmented by highly promising microbial polyesters, exhibited important implications for WAS pretreatment toward circular bioeconomy that encompasses carbon-neutral biorefinery and mitigate pollution.

The remediation of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-contaminated sediments by water hyacinth biochar activation of calcium peroxide and its effect on cytotoxicity

The presence of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in the aquatic systems, specifically marine sediments has attracted considerable attention worldwide, as it enters the food chain and adversely affects the aquatic environment and subsequently human health. This study reports an efficient carbocatalytic activation of calcium peroxide (CP) using water hyacinth biochar (WHBC) toward the efficient remediation of DEHP-contaminated sediments and offer insights into biochar-mediated cellular cytotoxicity, using a combination of chemical and bioanalytical methods. The pyrolysis temperature (300-900 °C) for WHBC preparation significantly controlled catalytic capacity. Under the experimental conditions studied, the carbocatalyst exhibited 94% of DEHP removal. Singlet oxygen (¹O₂), the major active species in the WHBC/CP system and electron-rich carbonyl functional groups of carbocatalyst, played crucial roles in the non-radical activation of CP. Furthermore, cellular toxicity evaluation indicated lower cytotoxicity in hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2) after exposure to WHBC (25-1000 μg mL^-1) for 24 h and that WHBC induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Findings clearly indicated the feasibility of the WHBC/CP process for the restoration of contaminated sediment and contributing to understanding the mechanisms of cytotoxic effects and apoptotic of carbocatalyst on HepG2.