Synthesis and application of wetland plant-based functional materials for aqueous antibiotics removal

Wetlands have been widely used in wastewater treatment and restoration of water bodies due to their ecological characteristics and functions. However, large amounts of plant residues are produced in wetlands every year and their treatment are facing large challenge. Synthesis of wetland plant-based functional materials (WPBFMs) has emerged as promising method for treating and recycling wetland plant residues. These functional materials have been demonstrated to effectively remove aqueous pollutants, such as antibiotics and dyes in wastewater. This article provides a comprehensive review on synthesis and application of WPBFMs for aqueous antibiotics removal and gives guidance for future research in treatment and recycling of wetland plant residues. It is shown that emergent plant residues are the mostly used raw materials for WPBFMs synthesis. The main products are biochar and its composites, cellulose and its modified materials, which are synthesized by slow pyrolysis and alkali treatment-bleaching treatment method, respectively. The removal pathways and mechanisms for aqueous antibiotics by WPBFMs are also discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives are discussed for synthesis and application of WPBFMs for antibiotics removal.