A recent study published in the Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers explores the enhanced adsorption capacity of phosphoric acid-modified calamus biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More (PBC) for removing antibiotics from water. The research focused on erythromycin (ERY) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), two commonly found antibiotics in environmental water sources. Calamus biochar, known for its high lignin and carbon content, was chemically treated with phosphoric acid to improve its adsorption properties. The modified biochar exhibited a mesoporous structure with an average pore size of 5.14 nm and a significantly large surface area of 797 m²/g.

The study found that PBC could adsorb 325 mg/g of ERY and 216 mg/g of SMX, which is markedly higher compared to unmodified biochar and commercial activated carbons. This improvement is attributed to the introduction of oxygen-containing functional groups and the optimization of pore structure. Mechanistic analysis revealed that the adsorption of ERY primarily involved complexation with oxygen-containing groups and pore filling, while SMX adsorption was driven by π-π interactions and pore filling.

This research highlights the potential of using modified plant-based biochar for environmental remediation, particularly for removing high-molecular-weight antibiotics from water. The findings provide valuable insights into the preparation of efficient and cost-effective biochar adsorbents, contributing to sustainable water treatment solutions.