Highly efficient removal of imidacloprid using potassium hydroxide activated magnetic microporous loofah sponge...

Extensive application of imidacloprid (IMI) in pest control and its undesirable removal efficiency enabled it to be a critical global challenge. Low cost, efficient, sustainable and environment-friendly technologies are urgently needed to be developed to remove IMI from water. A novel adsorbent of potassium hydroxide activated magnetic microporous loofah sponge biochar (KOH+Fe/Zn-LBC) was synthesized, as well as its adsorption capacity and mechanisms for IMI were investigated in this study. KOH+Fe/Zn-LBC had the superior pore structure (surface area and pore volume) and its maximum adsorption capacity for IMI could reach 738 mg g^-1 at 298 K. Kinetics, isotherms, thermodynamics and characterization analysis suggested that pore filling, hydrogen bonding and π-π conjugation were its main adsorption mechanisms. Additionally, the thermodynamic parameters described that IMI adsorption was a spontaneous, endothermic and less random process. Particularly, the magnetic separation of KOH+Fe/Zn-LBC was beneficial for its reuse. Ultrasound and ethanol co-processing could effectively regenerate the used KOH+Fe/Zn-LBC and maintain its stable sustainable adsorption capacity (99.4% of its fresh adsorption capacity after five reuse cycles). Besides, KOH+Fe/Zn-LBC exhibited a stable adsorption capacity and environmental safety in a wide pH range. Therefore, KOH+Fe/Zn-LBC has the potential to be an efficient, green and sustainable adsorbent for neonicotinoids removal.