Abstract
Biowaste coffee grounds have been recognized as an effective and relatively low-cost adsorbent to complement conventional treatment techniques for removing emerging contaminants (ECs) from the waste stream through modification to useful biochar. The purpose of this study was to make biochar from biowaste coffee grounds through the pyrolysis process and investigate its potential capacity for the removal of pharmaceuticals from water. The biochar was prepared by pyrolysis process under argon gas conditions, and its adsorption capacity for pharmaceuticals was evaluated. The as-prepared biochar shows a surface area of 232 m2 g−1. The adsorption of salicylic acid, diclofenac, and caffeine onto the biochar show adsorption capacities of 40.47 mg g−1, 38.52 mg g−1, and 75.46 mg g−1, respectively. The morphology, functional groups, crystallinity, and specific surface area were determined by SEM, FTIR, XRD, and BET techniques, respectively. Kinetic results reveal that the experimental data fit the pseudo-second-order model and the Temkin isotherm model. In conclusion, these results illustrate the potential of biochar produced from biowaste coffee grounds could play an important role in environmental pollution mitigation by enhancing removal of pharmaceuticals from conventional wastewater treatment effluent, thereby minimizing their potential risks in the environment.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilThere have been several developments in the literature that support the circular bioeconomy paradigm of using biochar as a renewable energy source [1]
This study investigates kinetic models and their capacity for the removal of selected pharmaceuticals; Sustainability 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEW
The obtained scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) images show that pyrolysis treatment results in the development of many tiny pores on the surface of the biochar produced from biowaste coffee grounds (Figure 2a)
Summary
There have been several developments in the literature that support the circular bioeconomy paradigm of using biochar as a renewable energy source [1]. The combustion of fossil fuels produces energy, which results in substantial greenhouse gas emissions while causing global warming and major environmental issues [2]. There is an increase in anthropogenic waste generation due to population growth and urbanization. The produced waste is expected to provide an excellent opportunity for bioenergy and biofuel generation [1]. Many attempts have been made in recent years to produce renewable energy and alternative fuels that are eco-friendly from food waste [3–5]. The coffee industry is one of the largest contributors to waste production and is in top of the list of sectors that pollute the environment with food [6]
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