Surface modification of carbon-based adsorbents derived from coal gasification slag for the efficient adsorption of trimethoprim.

Abstract

Given that pristine water bodies are irreplaceable for maintaining ecosystem homeostasis, the remediation of antibiotic-contaminated aquatic systems has emerged as a pivotal challenge. This research used flotation residual carbon (FRC) obtained from coal gasification coarse slag (CGCS) as a precursor and adopted the H2O2 liquid-phase oxidation method to prepare a low-cost and efficient adsorbent by optimizing process parameters such as modification temperature, time, and oxidant concentration. The H2O2 treated flotation residual carbon was denoted as HFRC. Batch adsorption assays revealed that, under their respective optimal conditions, equilibrium uptakes of Trimethoprim (TMP) by FRC and HFRC reached 54.02 mg/g and 80.01 mg/g, with equilibrium times of 270 min and 360 min. Comprehensive characterization, molecular simulations, and model fitting collectively elucidated the adsorption mechanism and the kinetic intensification of TMP. H2O2 modification markedly increased the abundance of oxygen-containing functionalities. On this basis, the van der Waals and electrostatic interactions between HFRC and TMP were significantly enhanced, accompanied by a pronounced increase in hydrogen-bond density, which collectively accelerated the TMP adsorption kinetics. HFRC also exhibited exceptional dynamic adsorption performance in the fixed-bed column. Overall, HFRC integrates rapid removal performance with resource-cycling benefits and superior environmental adaptability, offering an economically and ecologically synergistic paradigm for the valorization of CGCS and the remediation of antibiotic-impaired waters.