High-performance biochar derived from the leaves of Quercus dentata thunb for triclosan removal

Background

Triclosan (TCS) is a common antimicrobial additive. Despite its low concentration, its frequent use and widespread application result in significant amounts of TCS entering the environment. In the environment, TCS undergoes photodegradation, producing harmful byproducts such as dioxin-like substances and chloroform, which are highly toxic. Due to TCS's lipophilic nature, it easily accumulates in animal tissues, ultimately posing a threat to human health. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a powerful and efficient method to remove TCS from water bodies.

Methods

Using discarded traditional Chinese medicine as raw material and KOH as an activator, biochar was prepared. The material was characterized, and its adsorption capacity for TCS under various conditions was evaluated.

Significant Findings

Compared to the existing biochar materials' TCS adsorption capacity (13.9 mg/g-395.2 mg g^-1), the KOH-modified biochar (KMBC) in this study demonstrated an exceptional adsorption capacity of 639.13 mg g^-1 for TCS. KMBC can swiftly remove 98 % of TCS from water within 30 min, even with a minimal biochar concentration of 0.225 g/L, and it exhibits strong anti-interference capabilities. Most importantly, water treated with KMBC is virtually free of TCS, effectively mitigating its impact on environmental organisms.