Antibiotic contamination in wastewater from livestock farming is an environmental concern. This study explores the use of copper- and nitrogen-doped 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 (Cu-N/BC) to remove oxytetracycline (OTC) from contaminated water. The biochar acts as a catalyst to activate peroxodisulfate (PDS), a chemical known for its ability to break down pollutants, through a dual process of adsorption and nonradical degradation.

Cu-N/BC was shown to have a high affinity for OTC, adsorbing 36.2 mg/g of OTC in just 30 minutes, with 97.24% of OTC being removed in 90 minutes when combined with PDS. Key to the process is copper’s ability to undergo valence cycling, which enhances PDS activation, leading to the generation of singlet oxygen (¹O₂), a nonradical reactive oxygen species (ROS) that effectively degrades OTC.

The study also identified the specific sites on the biochar surface, such as low-valent copper and nitrogen, which facilitate the degradation process. Furthermore, Cu-N/BC performed well across a broad 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, showing potential for practical wastewater treatment.

This research offers insights into using biochar as a low-cost, efficient, and eco-friendly material for removing antibiotics from wastewater, with important implications for improving water treatment technologies.