Adsorption characteristics of pristine and magnetic olive stones biochar with respect to clofazimine

Abstract

Olive stone biochars (OSBC), both pristine and following magnetization (MAG–OSBC), were utilized as eco‐friendly and cost‐effective sorbents for the antituberculosis, clofazimine (CLOF). Morphologies, textures, surface functionalities, and thermal stabilities of both adsorbents were explored using SEM, EDX, TEM, BET, FT‐IR, Raman, XRD and TGA analyses. SEM analysis showed meso‐ and macroporous surfaces. BET data showed that the MAG–OSBC possesses a larger surface area (33.82 m2/g) and pore volume. Batch adsorption studies were conducted following the experimental scenario of Box–Behnken (BB) design. The adsorption efficiency of both adsorbents was evaluated in terms of the % removal (%R) and the sorption capacity (qe, mg/g). Dependent variables (%R and qe) were maximized as a function of four factors: pH, sorbent dose (AD), the concentration of CLOF ([CLOF]), and contact time (CT). A %R of 98.10% and 98.61% could be obtained using OSBC and MAG–OSBC, respectively. Equilibrium studies indicated that both Langmuir and Freundlich models were perfectly fit for adsorption of CLOF. Maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 174.03 mg/g was obtained using MAG–OSBC. Adsorption kinetics could be best illustrated using the pseudo‐second‐order (PSO) model. The adsorption–desorption studies showed that both adsorbents could be restored with the adsorption efficiency being conserved up to 92% after the sixth cycles.