Adsorption of amoxicillin onto breadfruit seed hull biochar modified using ZnONPs: disinfection and decontamination

Abstract Biochar (BHC) and biochar-supported nanocomposite (BZNC) were employed for the removal of amoxicillin (AMX) from simulated and real wastewater. The biochar and nanocomposite were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) spectroscopic techniques. Agitation speed of 120 rpm, solution pH 7, 50 mg dosage, and 120-min agitation time were employed for the optimization of the adsorption capacity of BZNC and BHC. Increases in sorbent dosage, contact time, and initial AMX concentration improved BZNC and BHC’s capacity to sequester AMX. The kinetic best description of the absorption of AMX onto BHC and BZNC was provided by the pseudo-second-order and pseudo-first-order models, respectively. Furthermore, Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models were observed to best describe the equilibrium data obtained for the uptake of AMX onto BZNC and BHC, respectively. At 318 K, the optimal adsorption capacities of BZNC and BHC were found to be 61.02 mg g −1 and 49.82 mg g −1 , respectively. The entropy-driven adsorption of AMX onto the BZNC and BHC was thermodynamically possible. It was observed that BZNC exhibited better antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Hence, this study shows that BZNC has the ability to efficiently disinfect and cleanse industrial wastewater that contains AMX.