Abstract:
The utilization of hardboard as a precursor for the synthesis of biochar to remove ciprofloxacin in fixed-bed adsorption columns was investigated in this research. The adsorbents were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption at 77 K, scanning electron microscope and thermogravimetric analysis. The presence of Fe(NO3)3 served as a mesoporous activating agent. Biochar materials were prepared by impregnation of 0.10 M Fe(NO3)3 onto hardboard and followed by carbonization under nitrogen atmosphere at 800°C (HC-BI-800), resulting in a biochar with mesopore volume and specific surface area of 0.34 cm3/g and 530 m2/g respectively. Biochar was used for ciprofloxacin adsorption in both batch and fixed-bed column processes. Adsorption equilibrium data correlated with Langmuir and the Pseudo second-order (PSO) kinetics model. In fixed-bed column adsorption, the maximum adsorption capacity (qTH) of 59.20 mg/g was achieved at an initial concentration of 80 mg/L, flow rate of 10 mL/min, and bed height of 15 cm. The adsorption modeling in the fixed-bed column correlated with the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models.