Sustainable and efficient removal of paraben, oxytetracycline and metronidazole using magnetic porous biochar composite prepared by one step pyrolysis

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have recently become a cause of growing concern due to their persistence in the human body and in the ecosystem. Therefore, it is important to develop a material with high adsorption capacity in order to effectively remove them. In the present study, magnetic porous biochar (MAGB) obtained from a biomass garlic skin was prepared through a one-step magnetization pyrolysis and was examined via SEM, XRD, Raman, XPS, TG, VSM, and N-2 adsorption-desorption analysis. MAGB presents many advantages, such as a high specific surface area, good ferromagnetic properties, and oxygen-rich functional groups. The capacities of MAGB to adsorb paraben, metronidazole, and oxytetracycline have been reported at 415, 287, and 822 mg g(-1), respectively, which are more effective than the values recorded for most other adsorbents. Furthermore, MAGB presents a good adsorption capacity after three cycles. The removal mechanisms of PPCPs onto MAGB are attributable to pore adsorption, hydrogen bonding, pi-pi stacking action, and electrostatic effects. This study demonstrates the applicability of MAGB as a reliable adsorbent, which holds a great potential for the removal of PPCPs from aquatic environments.