Preparation and Modification of Activated Carbon for the Removal of Pharmaceutical Compounds via Adsorption and Photodegradation Processes: A Comparative Study

Abstract

In the present research, the removal of pharmaceutical contaminants based on atenolol (AT) and propranolol (PR) using modified activated carbon (AC) in a liquid solution was studied. Two methods, adsorption and photodegradation, were used to eliminate AT and PR. First, AC was prepared from date stems and then modified via hydroxylation (AC-OH) and impregnated into titanium dioxide (AC-TiO2) separately. The removal of AT and PR was investigated in terms of experimental parameters, such as pH, concentration, temperature, and the effectiveness of the processes. The results show that the removal of AT and PR reached 92% for the adsorption method, while 94% was registered for the photodegradation process. Likewise, in optimal experimental conditions, the adsorption of AT and PR over AC-OH showed good stability and recyclability, achieving five cycles without a visible decrease in the removal capacity. The results obtained in this work suggest that the low-cost and environmentally friendly synthesis of AC-OH is suitable to be considered for wastewater treatment at the industrial scale. Interestingly, the above results open a potential pathway to determine whether adsorption or photodegradation is more suitable for eliminating wastewater-related pharmaceutical pollutants. Accordingly, the experimental results recommend adsorption as a promising, durable, eco-friendly wastewater treatment method.

Recent advances in removal of pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater using metal oxides and carbonaceous materials as photocatalysts: a review

“…40,41 The choice of these carbonaceous materials in removing antibiotics is mainly guided by simple and cost-effective synthesis methods, the easy availability of raw materials and their unique physiochemical properties, such as the presence of micropores, mesopores, and macropores, the large number of oxygen-functional groups, high porosity, and high surface area, coupled with good visible-light adsorption ability, chemical stability, excellent electrical conductivity and high intrinsic electron mobility. 40 The carbonaceous materials explored for this purpose include carbon dots, 38 g-C 3 N 4 , 42,65 activated carbon 45,66 and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). 67 Graphene is another carbon-based material composed of a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice .…”

Special Issue on Promising Research and Strategies in Wastewater Treatment, Sludge Management, and Valorisation: Volume I

“…Samir et al [8] employed date stems as a precursor to prepare activated carbon (AC) by calcination. The AC was modified by a hydroxylation strategy to increase the hydroxyl groups over the surface, resulting in AC-OH.…”