The problem of waste management is now one of the most important global environmental issues due to improper disposal of active synthetic products such as prescription drugs.  These drugs can contain harmful molecules in high concentration that dissolve in the water, which poisons it and leads to changes that can have an extremely negative impact on the ecosystem and health of people.  The aim of the present study is to review the possible applications of the nanoparticles and different types of biochar such as commercially-available brands, and bio-char made from sugar cane, Brazilian peppertree, and slash pine for the reduction in the concentration of medication such as aspirin and 4-acetamidophenol.  Biochars were impregnated with Fe<sub>x</sub>O<sub>y</sub>, or CaO nanoparticles, and aspirin and 4-acetamidophenol were used as model prescription drug contaminants.  treated with biochar + nanoproducts.  UV spectroscopy was used to determine if nanoproducts reduced concentration of pollutant solutions.  We were able to observe that if the nanoparticles have attached to the contaminant and stayed attached to the biochar, the final contaminant solution treated with functionalized biochar would have a lower absorbance (concentration) than contaminant solution with no treatment.  If the nanoparticles have attached to contaminant, but dislodged from the biochar, an enhacement of absorbance (concentration) of treated contaminant solution would be observed.

Functionalized biochar for removal of discarded prescription drugs

256th National Meeting (2018)

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