In a recent scholarly review, the focus is placed on the effective removal of antibiotics, specifically tetracycline (TC), from various environments due to their potential health and environmental risks. Biochar (BC), recognized for its affordability, efficient adsorption capabilities, and superior regeneration performance, has emerged as a prominent solution for antibiotic adsorption. Despite its advantages, the inherent limitations of BC’s antibiotic adsorption capacity necessitate modifications to enhance its practical application in wastewater treatment.

The review meticulously examines the raw materials, preparation methodologies such as pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More, hydrothermal liquefaction, and microwave pyrolysis, alongside the impact of biological, physical, and chemical modifications on BC’s physicochemical properties. It delves into the influencing factors, adsorption mechanisms of TC, and regeneration methods of BC, highlighting its performance in real wastewater scenarios.

Moreover, the analysis reveals a significant research gap in the application of BC for treating TC-contaminated water, offering insights and prospective directions for future enhancements in BC’s adsorption capabilities. The intent is to furnish scholars with a deep and comprehensive understanding of the current advancements in this domain, underscoring the necessity for ongoing research to refine BC’s efficiency in purifying water tainted with TC.

This examination sheds light on the critical environmental issue of water pollution, particularly by antibiotics like TC, which pose a threat due to their persistence in the environment and potential to foster antibiotic-resistant strains. The review encapsulates the collective endeavors in exploring viable solutions, with BC standing out as a promising candidate, albeit requiring further investigation and optimization for it to fulfill its potential in environmental remediation efforts.