Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Preparation of Biomass-based Mesoporous Carbon with Higher Nitrogen-/Oxygen-chelating Adsorption for CuII Through Microwave Pre-Pyrolysis
Published on: February 12, 2019
Plant-Waste-Derived Sorbents for Nitazoxanide Adsorption.
Artur Sokołowski1, Katarzyna Jędruchniewicz1, Rafał Kobyłecki2
1Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, 20-031 Lublin, Poland.
Pelletized biochar from plant waste effectively removes nitazoxanide (NTZ) from wastewater. This sustainable adsorption method achieved high capacity, particularly with biogas production biochar, offering a promising solution for pharmaceutical pollution.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Treatment
- Materials Science
Background:
- Increased drug concentrations in wastewater due to heightened use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Conventional wastewater treatment plants show limited efficacy in removing pharmaceutical pollutants.
- Adsorption presents a cost-effective, efficient, and eco-friendly alternative for pollutant removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of plant waste-derived pelletized biochar for nitazoxanide (NTZ) adsorption.
- To evaluate the adsorption capacity and kinetics of NTZ onto different biochar feedstocks.
- To assess the influence of inorganic ions and dissolved organic matter on NTZ adsorption.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of pelletized biochar from various plant feedstocks, pyrolyzed at 600 °C.
- Adsorption experiments to determine NTZ removal efficiency and capacity.
- Kinetic modeling to understand the adsorption mechanism (chemisorption) and the impact of interfering substances.
Main Results:
- Rapid NTZ adsorption observed, with significant removal within one hour.
- Highest adsorption capacity of 14 mg/g achieved with biochar from biogas production.
- Chemisorption governed the process (k2 = 0.2371 g/mg min); inorganic ions (especially carbonates) hindered adsorption, while DOM had no significant effect.
Conclusions:
- Pelletized biochar is an effective adsorbent for nitazoxanide in wastewater.
- Biochar derived from biogas production showed superior performance.
- The study confirms the potential of biochar for treating pharmaceutical pollution in real wastewater effluent.
More Related Videos
09:43Study of Short Peptide Adsorption on Solution Dispersed Inorganic Nanoparticles Using Depletion Method
Published on: April 11, 2020
11:14Two-way Valorization of Blast Furnace Slag: Synthesis of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and Zeolitic Heavy Metal Adsorbent
Published on: February 21, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Enhanced Elimination of Poison
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison