Innovative Coconut Shell Biochar Composite for Efficient Pollutant Removal

Researchers developed a ZnO/ACSC@TiO2 composite using coconut shell biochar, TiO2, and ZnO. This photocatalyst efficiently removes organic pollutants like tetracycline and Rhodamine B from wastewater via enhanced adsorption and photocatalysis, achieving up to 99.4% removal efficiency under visible light irradiation.

May 27, 2024

1–2 minutes

Zhang, et al (2024) Two-step synthesis of coconut shell biochar-based ternary composite to efficiently remove organic pollutants by photocatalytic degradation. *Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering*. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2024.112963

In a recent study published in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, researchers have developed an advanced photocatalyst to tackle organic pollutants in wastewater. The team synthesized a ternary composite using activated coconut shell 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 (ACSC), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and zinc oxide (ZnO) through a two-step hydrothermal method. This novel composite, termed ZnO/ACSC@TiO2, exhibits superior capabilities in degrading harmful organic compounds like tetracycline (TC) and Rhodamine B (RhB).

The process begins by uniformly coating TiO2 on the ACSC to form a core-shell structure, enhancing the material’s adsorption capacity and light absorption properties. This modification narrows the bandgap of TiO2, enabling it to absorb visible light more effectively. In the second step, ZnO is introduced to form heterojunctions with the ACSC@TiO2. These heterojunctions further reduce the bandgap, boosting the generation of photogenerated carriers and minimizing their recombination.

Experimental results showed that the optimized ZnO/ACSC@TiO2 composite, containing 10% ZnO, achieved remarkable removal efficiencies for TC and RhB, reaching 97.6% and 99.4%, respectively, under a 300 W xenon lamp within 60 minutes. This high efficiency is attributed to the synergistic effects of adsorption and photocatalysis facilitated by the composite’s unique structure.

This innovative approach not only utilizes agricultural waste, making it cost-effective and environmentally friendly, but also demonstrates significant potential for industrial applications in wastewater treatment. The successful integration of TiO2 and ZnO on a biochar matrix opens new avenues for designing efficient photocatalysts aimed at mitigating water pollution.