Combined Microwave-Peanut Hull Based Activated Carbon Process in the Removal of Oxytetracycline (OXT) from Aqueous Solution

Carbon materials are gaining importance in catalytic processes. In this respect, the authors studied the most important characteristics of these materials when employed as catalysts for the removal of pollutants from wastewater. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to characterize Charcoal Activated (CA) derived from the chemical activation of peanut hulls. The key physical characteristics of the solids used in heterogeneous catalysis are the pore volume, the pore distribution, iodine number, oxygen surface groups, and the specific surface area. The combined microwave radiation-CA catalytic activity was assessed through the degradation of Oxytetracycline (OXT) under different irradiation times, initial concentrations, and acidity of the OXT solution. Furthermore, the effect of additional amounts of derived CA on the degradation was assessed. A higher removal rate of OXT contaminant by a combined MW-CA process was a synergic effect and was achieved at a low concentration of OXT and pH 3 (which is the pH range of OXT solution). Furthermore, an additional amount of CA increased removal efficiency. These favorable properties make carbon a viable alternative for use as a catalyst with no residual intermediates or secondary pollution.