Magnetic biochar prepared by co-pyrolysis of sludge and organic medical solid waste for pH-universal removal of ciprofloxacin.

In this study, sludge biochar was prepared via the co-pyrolysis method using the compatibility of sewage sludge (SS) in different seasons with organic medical solid waste (OMSW) and activated by alkali conditions for the removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in water with different pH values. The maximum adsorption capacity of the two biochars (KS1MBC and KS2MBC) reached 83.49 mg/g and 86.19 mg/g, respectively. The structure of the biochars was characterized via XRD, BET and SEM, and the adsorption mechanism of the biochars was investigated by FTIR, Raman, and XPS. The adsorption processes of the modified biochar followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isothermal adsorption model, were dominated by chemical adsorption and monolayer adsorption, and were controlled by both liquid film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion. The adsorption mechanisms included pore adsorption, electrostatic attraction, π-π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and surface complexation. After hydrothermal activation by KOH, the surface of the biochar was etched by alkali to produce a nanothin lamellar structure, which increased the specific surface area to more than 200 m2/g in both cases, thus greatly enhancing the adsorption performance of the biochar. Moreover, due to the iron-containing properties of the sludge, it can be recycled through magnetic separation, thereby reducing treatment costs and enhancing the material's overall sustainability. The alkali-modified biochar demonstrates significant potential for application in antibiotic contamination remediation and provides a theoretical foundation for advancing waste treatment and promoting green environmental protection.