Converting Hybrid Mechanisms to Electron Transfer Mechanism by Increasing Biochar Pyrolysis Temperature for the Degradation of Sulfamethoxazole in a Sludge Biochar/Periodate System

In this study, sludge biochar was prepared under four pyrolysis temperatures (SBC300, SBC500, SBC700, and SBC900) and then was employed to activate periodate (PI) for the degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Various characterization methods were employed to investigate the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the physicochemical properties of sludge biochar and the activation capacity of periodate. The SMX adsorption capacity of SBCs and the ability of activating PI to degrade SMX increased with the increasing pyrolysis temperature. The degradation of SMX by the SBCs/PI systems was highly dependent on the initial pH of the solution and the dosage of SBCs. Mechanistic studies indicated that the degradation of SMX by the SBCs/PI system was mainly based on an electron-mediated transfer mechanism. Additionally, the electron transfer capacity of the SBCs affected the defects and the degree of graphitization. The contribution of free radicals to SMX degradation decreases with increasing pyrolysis temperature. Toxicity experiments demonstrated that the toxic elimination of SMX by the SBCs/PI system was enhanced with increasing pyrolysis temperature.