Bamboo leaf-derived biochar/iron silicate composite for an adsorption-degradation synergistic removal of ciprofloxacin

Antibiotics pose significant risks to both the environment and human health. Herein, we develop a collaborative strategy for the enhanced removal of a typical antibiotic, Ciprofloxacin (CIP), by using a bamboo leaf-derived biochar/iron silicate composite (BL-FeSi) with the assistance of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). The rationale behind the design is the construction of composited material with synergistic adsorption-catalysis functions, based on covalent bonding networks of the biochar and specific Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox chemistry of iron silicate in PMS activation system. H2 reduction of pristine BL-FeSi increases Fe(II) content and thus improves catalytic activity. Batch experiments demonstrate that the preferred BL-FeSi400 (H2 treatment at 400 oC) exhibits superior efficiency in activating PMS. The CIP removal efficiency is highly dependent on pH value of reaction solution. A remarkable 97% removal is achieved at pH = 5.5 (CIP: 60 mL, 20 mg/L; BL-FeSi400: 0.2 g/L, PMS: 0.2 g/L), and the pH increase to 11 results in 100% CIP removal. The BL-FeSi400 shows robust resistance to inorganic ions (NO3−, SO42−, HCO3−, and H2PO4−), and the catalytic activity remains consistently high (>82%) even after four consecutive cycles, making it highly promising for practical applications. It is found that both radical pathway (•OH and SO4•−) and non-radical pathway (1O2) contribute to CIP degradation in the BL-FeSi400/PMS system, while the active •OH dominates the oxidization process. The coupling of adsorption and degradation holds great potentials for effective removal of more organic contaminants.