Development and assessment of a functional activated fore-modified bio-hydrochar for amoxicillin removal

A fore-modified method was put forward and hybridized into hydrothermal process with acid, neutral and alkali circumstances. The activated fore-modified bio-hydrochars of feather and cornstalk (AFBF and AFBC) were manufactured. Some thinner carbon layers/smaller micro carbon spheres and much more hydroxyls functional groups were clearly observed in the acid and alkali fore-modified bio-hydrochars (AFBs). Batch experiments were taken to assess the AMOX removal abilities. By contrast, the AFB fore-modified by alkali, has got the most superior adsorbability of 92.87mg/g. Particularly, the BET surface areas of AFBs increased by 155.46% and the adsorbance of AMOX increased as much as 42.92% than traditional bio-hydrochar. Zeta potentials were introduced to illustrate the interactions between adsorbents and adsorbates under different pH. In addition, the powerful chemical adsorptions processes were also demonstrated by kinetics tests. As a result, the fore- modified method was essential in improving the characters of Bio-hydrochars.