Removal of tetracycline from aqueous solution via Fenton process using iron-impregnated bamboo biochar

Abstract Tetracycline (TC) is a pharmaceutical that has been used extensively that its presence in water sources causes detriment to both aquatic life and human health. TC is not completely removed in wastewater treatment processes and could enter the environment through effluent and sludge. This study evaluated the potential of iron-impregnated bamboo biochar (Fe-biochar) as catalyst in the removal of tetracycline from aqueous solution via Fenton process. Characterization via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses verified the successful iron impregnation on biochar. TC removal was determined at 357nm absorbance through UV-Visible spectroscopy. Highest TC removal of 63.24% was achieved under conditions of 75 mg Fe-biochar, 0.45 M H 2 O 2 , and pH 5. Experimental data were assessed using the three factors Box-Behnken response surface experimental design where Fe-biochar dosage, H 2 O 2 concentration, and solution pH were found to be significant parameters in TC removal. Furthermore, it was determined that the data fitted well in a reduced-cubic model with high coefficient of determination (R 2 = 0.9990) which indicates good regression. The optimum conditions were found to be 39.44 mg Fe-biochar dosage, 0.05 M H 2 O 2 , and pH 4, with TC removal efficiency of 33.90%. Overall, the results of this study suggested that Fe-impregnated bamboo biochar can be used as an effective catalyst in removing tetracycline from aqueous solution via heterogeneous Fenton process.