Yu, et al (2024) Removal of tetracycline in the water by a kind of S/N co-doped tea residue 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. Journal of Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121601

A new study in the Journal of Environmental Management explores the use of S/N co-doped biochar derived from tea residue for removing tetracycline (TC) from water. Given the widespread use of antibiotics like TC in agriculture, residues often end up in various water bodies, posing significant environmental risks due to their toxicity and contribution to antibiotic resistance.

Researchers successfully developed a highly efficient adsorbent by utilizing tea residue, a common waste product. By employing a hydrothermal carbonization method, they doped the biochar with sulfur (S) using Na2S2O3·5H2O and nitrogen (N) from the tea residue itself. This S/N co-doped biochar (SNBC) demonstrated an impressive adsorption efficiency of 94.16% for TC at a concentration of 100 mg/L, significantly outperforming unmodified biochar by 9.38 times.

The study highlighted the versatility of SNBC, showing optimal performance across a pHpH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. A pH of 7 is neutral, while lower pH values indicate acidity and higher values indicate alkalinity. Biochars are normally alkaline and can influence soil pH, often increasing it, which can be beneficial More range of 4 to 9. The Langmuir isotherm model calculated a maximum adsorption capacity of 271 mg/g. The adsorption mechanisms identified include pore filling, π-π interaction, and hydrogen bonding, making the biochar a promising candidate for water treatment applications.

This research emphasizes the potential of utilizing waste materials, such as tea residues, to address environmental pollutants effectively. The findings suggest that the developed SNBC could be a sustainable and efficient solution for the remediation of antibiotic-contaminated wastewater, offering a practical approach to mitigating pollution and promoting resource utilization.