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Improving Spent Coffee Biochar for Effective Organic Contaminant Removal from Aqueous Media
Inga Block1, Harshadrai M Rawel2, Tillmann Klamroth1
1Institute of Chemistry, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24-25, D-14476 Potsdam, Germany.
ACS Omega
|February 17, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a novel biochar from spent coffee grounds, offering an eco-friendly alternative to activated carbon for water purification. This sustainable material effectively removes diverse organic pollutants, including pharmaceuticals and dyes, from wastewater.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Water Treatment Technologies
Background:
- Increasing contamination of wastewater with persistent organic pollutants like pharmaceuticals and dyes poses significant environmental and health risks.
- Conventional activated carbon (AC) is widely used for pollutant removal but is often derived from fossil resources, raising sustainability concerns.
- Developing sustainable and efficient adsorbents is crucial for effective wastewater treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, sustainable adsorbent from spent coffee grounds for the removal of organic pollutants from wastewater.
- To characterize the surface properties of the synthesized biochar and evaluate its adsorption capabilities.
- To assess the effectiveness of the biochar in removing a range of organic contaminants, including dyes, pharmaceuticals, and xenoestrogens.
Main Methods:
- Spent coffee grounds were converted into biochar using MgCO3 as an activating agent.
- The surface area and porosity of the synthesized biochar were characterized.
- Adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the removal efficiency of various organic pollutants (methylene blue, methyl orange, diclofenac, tetracycline, bisphenol A) from aqueous solutions.
Main Results:
- A biochar with a significantly enhanced surface area of approximately 600 m²/g was successfully produced.
- The biochar demonstrated high removal efficiencies (up to 100%) for a broad spectrum of organic pollutants, including dyes, pharmaceuticals, and bisphenol A.
- Adsorption performance was influenced by solution pH, and the biochar exhibited selective adsorption in contaminant mixtures while maintaining high overall capacity.
Conclusions:
- Biochar derived from spent coffee grounds is a highly effective and sustainable adsorbent for removing diverse organic pollutants from wastewater.
- The enhanced surface area and porosity contribute to its superior adsorption performance compared to conventional activated carbon.
- This approach offers a promising, eco-friendly solution for advanced wastewater treatment applications.
