Hybrid carbon materials: Synthesis, characterization, and application in the removal of pharmaceuticals from water

• Published in: Journal of water process engineering Vol. 43; p. 102279
• Main Authors: Kimbi Yaah, Velma Beri, Ojala, Satu, Khallok, Hamza, Laitinen, Tiina, Botelho de Oliveira, Sergio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2021
• Subjects: Emerging pollutants; Photocatalysis; Photocatalytic regeneration; Water treatment; Water treatment; Photocatalysis; Emerging pollutants; Photocatalytic regeneration
• ISSN: 2214-7144; 2214-7144
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2021.102279

Hydrothermal carbonization was used to develop novel carbon-based hybrids for the removal of diclofenac and amoxicillin from water. These non-crystalline and partly graphitic materials can be regenerated by photocatalysis. The synthesized materials have beneficial oxygen containing surface functional groups, of which CO were observed only for tungsten-containing hybrid. An interaction between W, C and TiO2 was observed, which could influence the photocatalytic performance. The best performance was observed for W-containing hybrid (HC butox W) at pH 3 (diclofenac photocatalytic degradation of 80% and removal of 93% after 60 min). Significant part of the removal appeared due to precipitation of diclofenac on the hybrid material surface. Removal efficiency was fully recovered after regeneration at pH 7 under uv-B irradiation. With the same hybrid, 10% removal of amoxicillin after 30 min with 42% photocatalytic degradation at non-adjusted pH was reached. In general, tungsten improved the photocatalytic activity of material, while specific surface area played only a minor role. [Display omitted] •Carbon hybrids with uv-light regeneration ability were developed from waste biomass.•93% removal of diclofenac was achieved in 60 min.•42% removal of amoxicillin was achieved in the best case.•Removal efficiency of the hybrid was completely recovered in regeneration.