Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • PH-BC3-600 achieved 88.19% removal of 2.5 mg·L−1 carbamazepine within 5 minutes, demonstrating rapid kinetics suitable for continuous-flow water treatment systems. • • The composite exhibited high resistance to Cl−, NO3−, and humic acid, ensuring stable performance in complex water matrices typical of real wastewater. • • Incorporation of Polygonatum kingianum biochar increased highly reductive sulfur species (S2−, S2−2, Sn2−), which accelerated Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycling, enhancing PMS activation efficiency. • • PH-BC3-600 showed lower iron leaching than traditional pyrite, reducing secondary pollution and extending catalyst lifespan for sustainable operation.
Abstract
Carbamazepine (CBZ), a typical emerging contaminant, poses significant environmental and health risks due to its frequent detection, high toxicity, and resistance to conventional degradation. This study synthesized a composite material (PH-BC3-600) via high-temperature pyrolysis of mining waste pyrite and discarded Polygonatum kingianum dregs biochar. The composite was employed to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for CBZ degradation. Results demonstrated that biochar incorporation provided pyrite with more active sites, achieving 88.19% removal of 2.5 mg·L−1 CBZ within 5 minutes, with excellent resistance to Cl−, NO3−, and humic acid. Quenching experiments confirmed the involvement of ·OH, SO4·−, 1O2, and e− in the degradation process. The biochar increased the content of highly reductive sulfur species (S2−, S2−2, Sn2−) in PH-BC3-600, facilitating the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) and thereby enhancing PMS activation. Additionally, PH-BC3-600 exhibited lower iron leaching compared to traditional pyrite-based materials, overcoming a key drawback of conventional catalysts. This study highlights the promising potential of PH-BC3-600 for activating PMS in the treatment of emerging contaminants in water.
1. Introduction
Carbamazepine (CBZ), a widely prescribed antiepileptic drug, is a persistent emerging contaminant frequently detected in aquatic environments. Conventional wastewater treatment plants achieve less than 10% average removal of CBZ due to its stable molecular structure, leading to long-term ecological and human health risks. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) based on peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation have shown promise, but traditional iron-based catalysts suffer from slow Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycling and excessive iron leaching, limiting their practical application.
This study addresses these bottlenecks by synthesizing a composite of pyrite and biochar derived from Polygonatum kingianum dregs (PH-BC3-600). The biochar component enriches the material with reductive sulfur species, which accelerate the Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox cycle, while the pyrite provides abundant active sites. This synergistic design enhances PMS activation efficiency and reduces iron leaching, offering a cost-effective and sustainable solution for CBZ degradation in water treatment.
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GU Qingcun, LIANG Bingheng, YIN Yucheng, LUO Yongming, GAO Xiaoya (2026). Polygonatum kingianum Dregs Biochar Accelerated Fe(Ⅱ)/Fe(Ⅲ) Cycle in Pyrite for Efficient Activation of Peroxymonosulfate to Degrade Carbamazepine in Water. Environmental Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2024122402
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the degradation efficiency of PH-BC3-600 for carbamazepine under optimal conditions, and how does it compare to pure pyrite?
PH-BC3-600 achieved 88.19% removal of 2.5 mg·L−1 CBZ within 5 minutes, significantly outperforming pure pyrite due to enhanced active sites and accelerated Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycling.
How does the presence of common water constituents (Cl−, NO3−, humic acid) affect the catalytic performance?
The composite exhibited excellent anti-interference ability, maintaining high degradation efficiency in the presence of Cl−, NO3−, and humic acid, indicating robustness for real water matrices.
What are the dominant reactive species involved in CBZ degradation, and how were they identified?
Quenching experiments confirmed the involvement of hydroxyl radicals (·OH), sulfate radicals (SO4·−), singlet oxygen (1O2), and electrons (e−) in the degradation process.
What is the iron leaching concentration of PH-BC3-600 compared to traditional pyrite, and why is this important?
PH-BC3-600 exhibited lower iron leaching than traditional pyrite, reducing secondary pollution and improving catalyst stability, which is critical for long-term operational sustainability.
What is the role of biochar in enhancing the Fe(II)/Fe(III) cycle in the composite?
Biochar introduces highly reductive sulfur species (S2−, S2−2, Sn2−) that facilitate the reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II), thereby sustaining the catalytic cycle and enhancing PMS activation.
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